Residents panic as Indonesia's Semeru volcano erupts

JAKARTA, Dec 4 (dpa): The Semeru volcano in Indonesia's East Java province erupted on Saturday, sending residents fleeing as a huge column of smoke blanketed nearby villages in darkness, an official said.

Mobile phone footage broadcast by local television showed villagers running and screaming in panic as a huge cloud of ash approached them.

Residents were heard shouting "Allahu akbar!" or God is greatest.

The Kompas TV news broadcaster reported that a bridge collapsed and several houses were buried under the weight of volcanic debris, but it was not clear if anyone was hurt.

Lumajang district chief Thoriqul Haq said the volcano had been active since late Friday.

"Now it's dark in villages," he told Kompas TV. "We don't know if it's cold or hot lava."

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, he said.

Semeru has erupted several times since December last year, when hundreds fled their homes to safer locations.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for seismic upheaval, and has about 128 active volcanoes. - dpa