Indonesia's Mount Tangkuban Parahu erupts, visitors told to stay away

Volcanic ash covers a car parked close to Mount Tangkuban Parahu in Bandung, West Java, which erupted on July 26. (Courtesy of The National Disaster Mitigation Agency) - The Jakarta Post

JAKARTA: Mount Tangkuban Parahu in Bandung, West Java, the crater of which is a popular tourist spot, erupted on Friday (July 26) afternoon, with authorities prohibiting tourists from approaching the area.

The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) said the volcanic ash soared 200m up from the peak of the mountain, which is about 2,284m above sea level.

PVMBG head Kasbani said the grey thick volcanic ash spread to the south and north east.