Rumbling Indonesian volcano spews more lava, smoke

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2007

JAKARTA (AFP) — A rumbling volcano on a northern Indonesian island spewed lava and smoke Monday, as authorities warned that searing clouds of debris could rush down its slopes at any time.

Mount Karangetang, on the sparsely-populated island of Siau off North Sulawesi, was put on its highest alert on Saturday, meaning an eruption could occur at any time.

More than 500 people have been evacuated from two villages on the volcano's slopes and were sheltering at a village hall and church to the east of the volcano, the head of the police on Siau, Sutrisno, told AFP.

"The booming from the volcano was continuous between midnight on Sunday and around four in the morning," Sutrisno said.

A member of staff from the vulcanology observation station on Siau said...