STORY: :: Ash from Indonesia's Ruang volcano
has forced schools to close in nearby towns
:: May 2, 2024
:: Bitung, Indonesia
:: Sunaryo, Resident
"From what we observed, the ash rainfall started at 8 am this morning, carried by the rain, and you could see the roads and vehicles covered in ash. We hope residents who are in the city or travelling have their own masks to prevent respiratory diseases."
Authorities have also evacuated 12,000 people from the nearby Tagulandang island, after the Ruang, on an island north of Bitung, erupted on Tuesday, spewing lava, rocks and ash.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the alert status of Ruang to the highest level after Tuesday's eruption, and warned the residents of Tagulandang island that a tsunami could be triggered by volcanic material collapsing into the ocean.
A state of emergency, effective until May 14, has been declared by local government to facilitate aid access though authorities said the airport at Manado will remain closed until Friday.
