Indonesia's Mount Sinabung volcano erupts, more than 5,000 flee
theweathernetwork.com
Tuesday, November 12, 2013, 6:31 PM -
More than 5,000 people in western Indonesia have abandoned their homes following a series of eruptions from Indonesia's Mount Sinabung.
Local media suggest the volcano has been readying itself for an eruption since the start of the month. Ash and lava has been hurled up to 7 km in the air.
"So far, 5,265 people have been evacuated from seven villages," local government spokesman Robert Peranginangin told AFP.
"They were all very scared as the volcano has not shown signs of slowing down."
This is the third time the volcano has erupted in as many months.
Many people outside of the evacuation area are said to be leaving home as well. Officials say the list of evacuees is steadily rising and that panic is mounting among residents.
Indonesia is home to dozens of active volcanoes. In August, six people swept up and killed by hot lava from an erupting volcano in eastern Indonesia's Mount Rokatenda volcano.
