Volcano’s fury sparks tsunami alert

Fury unleashed: A handout from Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency showing people in Sitaro, North Sulawesi, looking at the Mount Ruang volcano, as it spews smoke. — AFP/National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas)

Rescuers raced to evacuate thousands of people after a volcano erupted five times, forcing authorities to close a nearby airport and issue a warning about falling debris that could cause a tsunami.

The crater of Mount Ruang flamed with lava against a backdrop of lightning bolts overnight after erupting four times on Wednesday, forcing authorities to raise its alert level to the highest of a four-tiered system.