Indonesia airport near volcano closed after Mt Ruang eruptions

Mt Ruang spewing smoke in Sitaro, North Sulawesi on April 18, 2024. - AFP

JAKARTA: The nearest Indonesian international airport to a volcano that erupted five times in recent days has been ordered closed for 24 hours due to volcanic ash, the transport ministry said on Thursday (April 18).

Mt Ruang started erupting on Tuesday evening, sending an ash cloud more than a mile into the sky. Officials raised its alert level to the highest of a four-tiered system and warned falling debris could cause a tsunami after four more eruptions on Wednesday.