Indonesia's Mount Merapi erupts again, airport in West Sumatra closed

ANKARA

Mount Merapi in Indonesia has erupted again, prompting authorities to temporarily close an airport in West Sumatra province, local media said on Saturday.

The Minangkabau International Airport has been temporarily closed due to the eruption of Mount Merapi on Friday, local media outlet Voidotid reported.

According to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG), the volcano was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 40 Modified Mercalli (MM) Intensity Scale and a duration of approximately 24 minutes.

Mount Merapi in Indonesia has erupted again, prompting authorities to temporarily close an airport in West Sumatra province https://t.co/T5OhniNcEY pic.twitter.com/JkcF0SaVva

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There were no immediate reports of fatalities or infrastructure damage.

PVMBG head Hendra Gunawan said earthquake tremors were also recorded before the volcano’s eruption, according to another media outlet Kompas.

He advised locals and tourists to avoid activities in the affected areas.

Earlier this month, at least 23 people were killed after Mount Merapi erupted while authorities also rescued over 50 climbers.

Mount Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanoes, is located on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where authorities have long prohibited residents and tourists from hiking within a 3-kilometer (1.86 miles) radius of its crater.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid