KUALA LUMPUR – Indonesia’s volcano Mount Ibu again belched out grey ash some 5km into the sky in a bigger eruption compared to Monday’s.
The huge ash column, which was spotted just before 2pm (1pm Malaysia time), was thick and “leaning towards the west”.
According to a report by the republic’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, there have been no casualties or property damage on the remote island of Halmahera in North Maluku province.
The centre has also advised residents and tourists to avoid the 5km radius of the volcano’s crater. Halmahera Island has about 700,000 residents.
“If ash fall continues, residents carrying out outdoor activities are advised to wear goggles and masks to protect their noses, mouths, and eyes,” it added.
The volcano, which is less than 1,100km from Semporna, Sabah, has been flagged after it erupted last week.
Mount Ibu is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupting more than 21,000 times last year. – May 15, 2024