Indonesia raises alert for Mount Semeru volcano to highest level after series of eruptions
Jakarta (AP): Indonesian authorities raised the alert for Mount Semeru volcano to the highest level on Wednesday after a series of eruptions. The volcano lies on the country's most densely populated island.
Mount Semeru in East Java province unleashed avalanches of searing clouds of hot ash and a mixture of rock, lava and gas that travelled up to 7 kilometrs down its slopes several times since midday to dusk, while a column of hot clouds rose 2 kilometres into the air, Indonesia's Geology Agency said in a statement.
The eruption throughout the day blanketed several villages with falling ash and forcing authorities to raise the volcano's alert level twice, from the third-highest level to the highest, the agency said.
No casualties have been reported.
Semeru, also known as Mahameru, has erupted numerous times in the past 200 years. Still, as is the case with many of the 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, tens of thousands of people continue to live on its fertile slopes.
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 270 million people, sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe-shaped series of fault lines, and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
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Israel, UAE report they are intercepting, responding to missiles despite ceasefire claim
Tel Aviv/Abu Dhabi: Fresh missile activity has been reported despite claims of a ceasefire between Iran and its adversaries. The Israeli military said it detected missile launches from Iran and confirmed that its defence systems were actively working to intercept the threat.
“Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the military said in a statement.
At the same time, the United Arab Emirates also reported a missile threat. The Emirati National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Authority said air defence systems were responding.
“Air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat. Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates,” the agency said in a statement issued to residents.
The developments come even as reports suggest a ceasefire agreement is in place, indicating that hostilities may still be continuing despite the announced pause.
