Thousands flee as volcano erupts on Indonesia's Sumatra

Mount Sinabung spews ash and hot lava as it erupts near a mosque in Karo district, Indonesia's north Sumatra province, Sept 15, 2013. Thousands of villagers fled after a volcano erupted on Indonesia's Sumatra island spewing rocks and red-hot ash onto surrounding villages on Sunday, Sept 15, 2013, officials said. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

Villagers sit on the floor of a temporary shelter after Mount Sinabung erupted early morning in Karo district, Indonesia's north Sumatra province on Sunday, Sept 15, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A paramedic hands out masks to people after Mount Sinabung erupted early morning in Karo district, Indonesia's north Sumatra province on Sunday, Sept 15, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

A worker sprays pesticide on his vegetable crops while Mount Sinabung spews ash and hot lava as it erupts in Karo district, Indonesia's north Sumatra province on Sunday, Sept 15, 2013. -- PHOTO: REUTERS


The plume from Lokon-Empuang is now reaching its peak height, as it reaches the cloud base. 10 September, 7.01 am local time.


Mt Lokon-Empung, 10 September, 7.10 am. The main explosion has now ceased, and the plume is beginning to decay as ash particles fall out, and the plume is dispersed by winds.

Pu'u O'o vent summit cone of Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. © G. Brad Lewis

AKARTA (AFP) - Thousands of villagers fled on Sunday after a volcano erupted on Indonesia's Sumatra island spewing rocks and red-hot ash onto surrounding villages, officials said.

Mount Sinabung in Karo district, North Sumatra province, erupted violently before dawn.

"More than 3,000 people have been evacuated from areas within a three-kilometre radius of the volcano, and they are all safe," Asren Nasution, the head of North Sumatra disaster agency, told AFP.

Five halls normally used for traditional cultural ceremonies had been converted into shelters for those displaced.