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Local sources from Indonesia: Suara Merdeka Surabaya, BBC.com.
UK coverage: The Guardian.

Mount Ruang, a remote volcano in Indonesia, has erupted three times, causing the closure of several airports and spreading ash as far as Malaysia. The eruption sent lava and ash more than 5km into the sky, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders for 12,000 individuals. A rescue ship and a warship have been deployed to assist in the evacuation process.

According to an article from Suara Merdeka Surabaya, hundreds of residents of Tagulandang Island in Indonesia are waiting at the island’s port to be evacuated. Basarnas, the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency, reported that gray smoke continues to emerge from the eruption of Mount Ruang. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the alert status of Ruang to the highest level and warned residents of a possible tsunami triggered by volcanic material falling into the sea. Basarnas personnel have already evacuated 109 residents to Munte Port, while hundreds of others are still waiting at Minanga Port to be evacuated. The residents will be transported to North Minahasa Regency on Sulawesi Island. The Ministry of Transportation has extended the closure of Sam Ratulangi Manado Airport until noon on Thursday. Flights to and from several cities in Kalimantan and Malaysia have also been affected by the eruption.

In an article from BBC.com, residents of Tagulandang Island express their fear and concern as Mount Ruang erupts again. The eruption has released an eruption column up to 5,000 meters high, and experts warn of a potential two-way tsunami. Dr. Mirzam Abdurrachman, a volcanology expert, explains that Mount Ruang is located on an open old caldera facing west, which could lead to landslides towards the west or east, potentially causing a tsunami in both directions. Heruningtyas Desi Purnamasari, the Head of the Volcano Observation Team at PVMBG, also warns residents to remain vigilant about the rising sea level. The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reports that there have been eruptions accompanied by hot ash flows reaching the sea in the southeast sector of the island. The public is advised to wear masks to avoid exposure to volcanic ash.

The evacuation process is underway, with hundreds of residents already relocated to safer areas. However, there have been reports of rock and gravel showers, as well as sand rain, damaging houses and infrastructure. The eruption of Mount Ruang is of particular concern due to its potential to trigger a tsunami, as seen in the historical eruption of 1871. Experts warn that the volcanic body of the mountain could collapse or release a large amount of material, impacting not only Ruang Island but also the surrounding islands. The current eruption is happening earlier than expected, possibly due to leftover magma from the 2002 eruption. The volcanic island’s location in the middle of the sea makes it more dangerous for residents compared to volcanoes on flat land, as there is a risk of the island sinking along with the volcano. The evacuation efforts are being supported by maritime transportation fleets, and authorities continue to monitor the volcanic activity closely.

Mount Ruang’s eruption serves as a reminder of the seismic activity in Indonesia, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire. As the situation unfolds, it is crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of the affected residents and provide them with necessary support and resources.