Indonesia’s Mount Merapi unleashes lava as other volcanoes flare up, forcing thousands to evacuate

By SLAMET RIYADI
Associated Press

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s Mount Merapi has erupted, spreading searing gas clouds and avalanches of lava down its slopes as other active volcanoes flared up across the country, forcing the evacuation of thousands. On the densely populated island of Java, Merapi unleashed Sunday clouds of hot ash and a mixture of rock, and lava that traveled up to 1.2 miles down its slopes. Several of Indonesia’s active volcanoes also had eruptions. Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in East Nusa Tenggara province spewed hot clouds into the air as more than 6,500 people fled to shelters. Mount Marapi in West Sumatra province, Mount Semeru in East Java province and Mount Ibu on Halmahera island in North Maluku province also had new eruptions.