STORY: Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki spewed an ash column over five miles into the air,
as the volcano erupted at least three more times on Saturday morning (November 9).
Officials say they plan to widen the restricted area around the mountain in the country’s east.
They’ve been scrambling to evacuate 16,000 people from villages nearest the crater since a big eruption last Sunday (November 3) killed nine.
Some 10,700 people have been removed so far from the area, data from Indonesia’s disaster agency showed on Saturday.
Evacuees like Sherliana Ose Soge have left their homes behind.
“Yes, here we are comfortable and are given food and water. Thanks to god, sleeping conditions are also good, but for those who have toddlers, they are still sleeping on mats, there are no mattresses and supplies for toddlers are also still limited.”
Authorities plan to expand the no-go zone southwest to northwest of the crater to 5.6 miles, up from 5.
Disaster agency officer Agus Riyanto says three evacuation centres have been set up and the local government is preparing three more.
Though Riyanto believes more may be needed.
On Friday, Mount Lewotobi erupted several times, with an ash column up to 6.2 miles high.
