The Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami warning after Mount Ruang erupted in Ruang Island to its highest level during the past two days. The eruption sparked fears as a part of the mountain could collapse into the sea, resulting in a tsunami.
The warning was issued Wednesday evening, following the eruption of the 725-metre volcano, spewing ash and lava over a distance of 3,000 metres. It erupted at least 5 times since Tuesday night.
Authorities urged people living in the coastal Tagulandang area to be careful of high tides and a possible tsunami, which could result from rocks falling from the volcano.
More than 800 people were evacuated from two villages on Ruang Island. The authorities imposed a buffer zone within 6 kilometers of the volcano crater, which extends to the southwestern part of Tagulundang Island. Moreover, Sam Ratulangi in Manado has been closed.
“The force of Mount Ruang’s eruption is getting bigger and has emitted hot clouds of approximately 1.7 kilometers,” Agency chief Hendra Gunawan told national news agency Antara.
The last time Mount Ruang erupted was in 2002, spewing volcanic lava that damaged local lands.
A similar scenario happened in Indonesia in 2018 when Anak Krakatau erupted and parts of it fell into the ocean, causing a tusunami along coasts of Sumatra and Java. This tsunami killed 430 people.
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