Volcanic Eruptions Force Evacuations and Airport Closure in Indonesia
The remote Mount Ruang volcano in Indonesia erupted multiple times on April 30, leading to the evacuation of nearby residents and the closure of Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado, the provincial capital.
Evacuation and Airport Closure
- Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation raised the alert level to the highest following the volcanic eruption.
- The airport shutdown was due to the presence of “Ruang volcanic ash,” as stated by AirNav Indonesia.
- More than 6,000 people were evacuated from the area after the eruptions.
Mount Ruang’s Eruption
The eruption of Mount Ruang, located in North Sulawesi province, resulted in a towering ash column stretching over five kilometers into the sky.
- A six-kilometer exclusion zone was reinstated to warn locals of potential hazards like incandescent rocks, hot clouds, and tsunamis.
Impact on Residents
Over 800 residents living near Ruang were evacuated, with some returning home after the emergency response status ended. However, the exact number of residents who had to evacuate again remains unclear.
Indonesia, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activities.
