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Thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes following a series of eruptions from the Ruang volcano on Sulawesi island in Indonesia.
As reported by Sky News, the 725-meter-high mountain has erupted at least five times within a span of 24 hours, as reported by Indonesia's Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation.
Authorities are on high alert as there are concerns that a portion of the mountain could collapse into the sea, potentially triggering a tsunami. As a precautionary measure, people have been instructed to stay at least 3.7 miles away from the volcano's vicinity. Additionally, the closure of the nearby Sam Ratulangi airport in Manado has disrupted nine flights.
Among those affected by the evacuation orders are residents of Tagulandang island, situated northeast of the volcano. Approximately 11,000 individuals have been directed to leave the area and will be transported to the nearest city, a six-hour boat ride away.
Indonesia, known for its vast archipelago and home to 120 active volcanoes, is situated along the volatile Ring of Fire, a region characterized by seismic activity around the Pacific Ocean. This latest volcanic activity serves as a stark reminder of the country's susceptibility to natural disasters.
The memory of the devastating 2018 eruption of Indonesia's Anak Krakatau volcano, which triggered a deadly tsunami along the coasts of Sumatra and Java, still lingers. The catastrophic event claimed the lives of 430 people after portions of the volcano collapsed into the ocean.
[With information sourced from Sky News]
