DHAKA: More than 5,000 people have fled their homes in western Indonesia in recent days following a series of violent volcanic eruptions.

An Indonesian official said on Tuesday, reports The Straits Times.

Mount Sinabung on the north of Sumatra island has been hurling out red-hot ash, rocks and torrents of glowing lava up to seven kilometres into the air since the start of the month.

Villagers from nearby Karo district are being evacuated as the volcano, which erupted in September for the first time since 2010, continues to spew ash and rocks.

‘So far, 5,265 people have been evacuated from seven villages,’ local government spokesman Robert Peranginangin told media.

BDST: 1803 HRS, NOV 12, 2013
RoR/BSK