Eruption of Sinabung volcano on Indonesia’s Sumatra island prompts higher alert

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Mount Sinabung on Indonesia erupted Monday (Aug 31), spewing a column of black ash and smoke 3,500 metres from the top of the mountain into the sky over Sumatra island.There were no immediate reports of casualties, evacuations or disruptions to flights in the region. But residents, visitors and tourists were advised to refrain from activities in nearby villages in Karo district in North Sumatra province and areas within six kilometres of the summit.Roads, vehicles and buildings in several villages in Karo affected by the eruption were covered in grey ash. Local authorities distributed masks to residents to protect themselves.Officials raised the volcano alert level to “Watch”, the second-highest level for volcanic activity, which expanded the safe zone around the 2,600-metre mountain.”This eruption is considered an initial eruption, and it is possible that a larger eruption could occur,” Lana Saria, chief of Indonesia’s Geological Agency, said in a statement Monday.