Indonesian Rescuers Evacuate Thousands After Volcano Erupts

Indonesian authorities are in a race against time to evacuate thousands of people after Mount Ruang in Indonesia's remote island erupted multiple times, leading to the closure of a nearby airport and warnings of a possible tsunami if the crater collapses into the sea. The eruption caused a fiery orange column of lava and rocks, prompting rescuers to aid residents in danger, with reports of falling volcanic rocks damaging homes and causing panic among inhabitants in the region.

The rescuers are currently working to evacuate residents from the affected areas, with more than 11,000 people being urged to leave the vicinity of Tagulandang, while tourists and residents are advised to stay outside a 6-kilometer exclusion zone. The eruption also led to the evacuation of a prison, with inmates and residents being ferried to safety by boat, and authorities distributing aid such as mats, blankets, and masks in temporary shelters set up for the displaced individuals. The Indonesian government is on high alert as they fear a possible tsunami, drawing on past experiences like the 2018 Mount Anak Krakatoa collapse that triggered a devastating tsunami, leaving hundreds dead and injured in its wake.