JAKARTA
More than 13,000 people have fled their homes amid persistent eruptions at two Indonesian volcanoes, while activity at a third mountain continues to cause the closure of nearby airports.
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, national disaster management agency spokesperson, told Anadolu Agency that around 11,000 residents have been displaced on Sumatra island due to Mount Sinabung over the last two months.
He said that another 2,000 people have been evacuated to safer parts of Ternate island in the Maluku islands since Saturday amid increased volcanic activity at Mount Gamalama – which takes up the entire island.
"The alert status of Sinabung is still at the highest level [level 4]," Sutopo said, underlining that the volcano is erupting daily. The alert status of Gamalama remains at level 2.
The Ternate government evacuated an additional 755 people from Togafo village Wednesday due to the threat posed by cold lava, which can result in landslides – particularly during heavy rainfall.
Thamrin Marsaoly, a member of the Gamalama disaster response team, told Anadolu Agency, "the evacuation process is still in progress for all Togafo residents, and especially children, women and the elderly have been transported to shelters."
Meanwhile, four airports – including one of Indonesia’s busiest on Bali island, one in East Nusa Tenggara province and two in East Java province – were temporarily closed Wednesday as Mount Raung spewed ash in East Java.
Transport Minister Ignatius Jonan told Anadolu Agency that the Banyuwangi and Jember airports in East Java had been closed since 6 a.m. (0000GMT).
“Meanwhile this afternoon, Ngurah Rai airport in Bali also closed due to the spread of ash from Mount Raung," he said. "During the spread of harmful ashes, we cancel flights."
More than 50 flights to and from Ngurah Rai Airport were canceled Wednesday.
Taufik Herman, head of data analysis at the meteorology agency, stressed that volcanic ash – which can damage various plane parts and even result in engine failure -- is very dangerous for flights to and from the popular international airport.
"The ashes are even located at an altitude of about 5 kilometers above sea level," he told Anadolu Agency, adding that the particles were being carried by winds with a speed of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) per hour.
He said that the agency was supplying Ngurah Rai with updated data on the movement of the volcanic ash every six hours.
Indonesia, home 129 active volcanoes, lies within the Pacific’s "Ring of Fire," where tectonic plates collide and cause frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
