INDONESIA’S MOUNT IBU ERUPTS, PUBLIC URGED TO AVOID DANGER ZONE

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- Mount Ibu in Indonesia’s North Maluku province erupted on Saturday, sending an ash plume soaring 4,000 metres above the summit and prompting authorities to issue warnings to the public.

The eruption, which occurred in West Halmahera district at 7.35 pm local time Saturday, lasted about three minutes and five seconds, releasing grey ash that drifted westward and glowing lava ejected up to two kilometres from the volcano’s crater.

Authorities have banned all public activities, including hiking, within a four-kilometre radius of the volcano and a 5.5 kilometres sector to the north of the active crater.

“In anticipation of potential hazards, residents are urged to wear masks and eye protection, such as glasses,” National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari stated in a statement on Sunday.

Local authorities also urged to coordinate with the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) for risk mitigation.

The volcanic activity remains at level III, or “Alert”, as the volcano’s eruptions have been fluctuating since June 2024, with some days experiencing as many as 70 eruptions.

Earlier on last Friday, the volcano erupted twice, sending an ash column 3,000 metres into the sky, with ash clouds drifting south and southeast.

According to PVMBG, such eruptions are typical for Mount Ibu, given its current activity level, and they have urged the public to remain vigilant while also advising them to avoid false information or hoaxes.

-- BERNAMA