More than 2,100 people are evacuated as an Indonesian volcano spews clouds of ash

Over 2,100 evacuated near erupting Mount Ruang in Indonesia due to ash, rocks, and tsunami risks.

More than 2,100 people living near an erupting volcano on Indonesia's Sulawesi Island were evacuated on April 19 due to the dangers of spreading ash, falling rocks, hot volcanic clouds and the possibility of a tsunami.

Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation recorded at least three eruptions since April 19 afternoon, with the maximum height of the eruption column reaching 1,200 meters.

An international airport in Manado city, less than 100 km from the erupting Mount Ruang, is temporarily closed as volcanic ash spewed into the air.

Satellite imagery from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency shows the ash has spread to the west, northwest, northeast and southeast, covering Manado and North Minahasa, according to a statement from Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry.

“We are still monitoring developments in the eruption of Mount Ruang and coordinating with relevant stakeholders … to anticipate the necessary actions to ensure flight safety, security and comfort,” said Ambar Suryoko, head of the regional airport authority.

More than 11,000 people were told to leave their homes in the affected area. A joint team from the local authorities combed the villages surrounding the volcano and evacuated residents to safer areas by boat.

Officials worry that part of the volcano could collapse into the sea and cause a tsunami, as happened in an eruption there in 1871.