Indonesia: Mount Merapi erupts again

Jakarta, Oct 29: Indonesia, which has been brought to its knees by the twin disasters of an earthquake-triggered tsunami and volcano, was yet again hit by a second eruption at Mount Merapi on Thursday, Oct 28.

While the total death toll in the recent natural calamities has risen to 377, there are no immediate reports of new casualties after Merapi's second eruption.

Out of the 377 deaths, 343 have been attributed to the Mentawai islands tsunami that was triggered off by a 7.5 magnitude quake on Oct 25.

Over 30 other people were killed in the first eruption of the Mount Merapi. The second eruption comes at a time when over 4,000 people who evacuated the nearby areas were ready to move back as Merapi appeared calmer.

Hot clouds as high as one kilometre spewed ash and thick dust as lava trickled down the mountain's 2,968 metre peak.

Fortunately, there were no reports of new injuries or damage. Officials on Friday, Oct 29 evacuated hundreds more villagers living around the slopes.

The danger zone has been extended from eight to 10 kilometres.

OneIndia News