Indonesia volcano eruption shuts more airports, ash reaches Malaysia

Mount Ruang volcano is seen during the eruption from Tagulandang island, Indonesia, on May 1, 2024. - AP

JAKARTA: Eruptions at a remote Indonesian volcano forced more than half a dozen airports to close with ash spreading as far as Malaysia, officials said Wednesday (May 1), while authorities rushed to evacuate thousands due to tsunami fears.

Mount Ruang erupted three times on Tuesday, spewing lava and ash more than five kilometres (three miles) into the sky and forcing authorities to issue evacuation orders for 12,000 locals.