Mt Merapi unleashes lava as other volcanoes flare up, forcing thousands to evacuate

Mount Marapi volcano spews smoke and hot lava as seen from Batang Silasiah, Agam, in West Sumatra province on Jan 22, 2024. - Antara via Reuters

YOGYAKARTA: Indonesia’s Mount Merapi erupted on Sunday (Jan 21), spreading searing gas clouds and avalanches of lava down its slopes as other active volcanoes flared up across the country, forcing the evacuation of thousands.

On the densely populated island of Java, Merapi unleashed clouds of hot ash and a mixture of rock, and lava that travelled up to 2km (1.2 miles) down its slopes, said Agus Budi Santoso, the head of Indonesia's Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center. A column of hot clouds blasted 100m (about 109 yards) into the air as ash blanketed several villages without casualties, he added.