People evacuated after Indonesian volcano erupts and spouts 54,000ft ash cloud

A volcano in Indonesia has erupted with an 54,000ft ash cloud spouting into the air, triggering a flight safety warning.

Mount Semeru, located on the border of the Lumajang District and Malang District in East Java erupted this morning at 6.11am local time.

The East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has evacuated residents affected who are elderly people from Pronojiwo District and Candipuro District, Lumajang.

In a translated written statement the East Java BPBD said: ‘The Rapid Response Team (TRC) of the Lumajang Regency BPBD carried out patrols and helped evacuate the elderly to safer places.

‘The pyroclastic flow is still ongoing, with a maximum amplitude of 40 mm. The pyroclastic flow reached a distance of 8.5 km from the mountain peak. The wind direction is towards the north.’

The East Java, Indonesia Regional Disaster Management Agency recorded an increase in Mount Semeru’s activity to Level III following the eruption.

A red aviation warning has been issued by Australia Volcanic Ash Advisory as the ash plume rises to 54,000ft.

Japan Meteorological Agency is investigating whether there is possibility of tsunami following the large eruption.

This is breaking news story and is being updated.

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