Indonesian rescuers swiftly evacuated thousands following multiple eruptions from Mount Ruang, which led authorities to declare the highest alert level and necessitated the closure of the nearest airport in Manado City, on Sulawesi Island.
Overnight, Mount Ruang displayed dramatic lava flows illuminated by lightning. The volcano continued to emit smoke into Thursday morning, leading to a 24-hour shutdown of Manado’s international airport. Officials are now evacuating 11,000 residents from the affected area, including the remote island of Tagulandang, which has a population of about 20,000.
Jandry Paendong, a local search and rescue official, reported that residents had begun to flee in panic. His team assisted 20 staff in evacuating people near the coastline using rubber boats, and he requested additional boats and equipment for evacuations.
Authorities have established a six-kilometre exclusion zone around the volcano, advising tourists and locals to stay clear. After the initial eruption on Tuesday evening, more than 800 individuals were moved from Ruang to Tagulandang island before four additional eruptions occurred on Wednesday.
The potential for a tsunami remains a significant concern. Hendra Gunawan, head of Indonesia’s volcanology agency, cautioned that the volcanic activity might dislodge parts of the volcano into the sea, similar to the 2018 disaster when Mount Anak Krakatoa collapsed, causing a deadly tsunami.
This geological activity reflects Indonesia’s position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a hotbed for seismic events. The eruption has severely impacted the region, including the disruption of flights at Sam Ratulangi International Airport due to volcanic ash, which risks flight safety. The airport, which facilitates international flights to Singapore, South Korea, and China, remains closed, affecting numerous flights, as Dimas, an airport officer, stated.
