Indonesia. An eruption of Merapi volcano

The most active volcano in Indonesia erupted on Wednesday, sending a dense cloud of gas into the sky A river of lava spat down its cliffs. So far, no casualties or injuries have been reported.

The roar of an explosion Monte Merapi Authorities said he was heard 30 kilometers (18 miles) away. The lava river extended 3,000 meters down the slopeIt is its largest emission since authorities raised the alert in November, it said Hanik Hamida, Manager Yogyakarta Volcanic and Geological Center.

He added that the lava flow was increasing rapidly, leading to clouds of gas and ejecting glowing rivers.

After a morning rain, the ash turned to mud. More than 150 people within a radius of 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the crater, most of them elderly, were evacuated and placed in shelters.

Authorities in November Evacuation of about 2,000 people living in the neighboring towns of Magelang and Solomon, But most of them have gone home.

The second highest alert level applies to the area and authorities have asked citizens to move away.

Volcano that has a height of 2,968 meters (9,737 feet) It is located on the island of Java near the ancient city of Yogyakarta. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia, and has sporadically released lava and gases.

Another volcano eruption Merapi That was in 2010, when 347 people died.

Indonesia, an archipelago with a population of 270 million, is highly vulnerable to volcanic activity because it is located on the so-called ‘Ring of Fire’, A group of tectonic plates beneath the Pacific Ocean.