Volcano forces thousands to flee in Indonesia
- 10 years ago
Indonesians are on the move as ash, sand and gravel fall from an eruption at Mount Kelud.
The volcano in the East Java province sent a huge plume of ash 17 kilometers, or 10 miles, into the air.
(SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) RESIDENT BAMBANG PURWONO SAYING:
"This is the biggest eruption I have ever seen. You can see sand and gravel falling, but the last eruption we only saw sand and ash."
More than 76,000 people fled their homes and are waiting it out in shelters.
Officials closed seven airports, stranding thousands of passengers.
Mount Kelud is one of 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia.
The volcano in the East Java province sent a huge plume of ash 17 kilometers, or 10 miles, into the air.
(SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) RESIDENT BAMBANG PURWONO SAYING:
"This is the biggest eruption I have ever seen. You can see sand and gravel falling, but the last eruption we only saw sand and ash."
More than 76,000 people fled their homes and are waiting it out in shelters.
Officials closed seven airports, stranding thousands of passengers.
Mount Kelud is one of 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia.