An Indonesian volcano has erupted and spewed an enormous 54,000ft ash cloud, causing Australia to trigger a flight safety warning as civilians run to safety.
Mount Semeru, located on the border of Lumajang District and Malang District in East Java, erupted on Tuesday morning at 6:11am local time.
Australia’s Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) issued a warning about the enormous volcanic ash plume, visible in astonishing footage posted by on social media by people anxious to escape the scene.
‘The ash column was observed to be gray with thick intensity to the north and northwest. At the time of this report, the eruption was still ongoing,’ Mount Semeru Observation Post Officer, Mukdas Sofian said.
Mount Semeru is at Alert or Level II status and the public have been warned not to carry out activities within a 2,500 metre radius of the crater to avoid any potential danger.
‘The public is also asked to be aware of the potential for hot clouds, lava flows, and lahars along rivers/valleys that originate at the peak of Mount Semeru Volcano, especially along Besuk Kobokan, Besuk Bang, Besuk Kembar, and Besuk Sat, as well as the potential for lahars in small rivers that are tributaries of Besuk Kobokan,’ Sofian said.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
