Where is Mount Semeru located in Indonesia? Will it affect flights to Bali and Australia - latest updates as red aviation warning issued
A volcano in Indonesia has erupted with an 54,000ft ash cloud spouting into the air.
It has triggered a flight safety warning due to the size of the ash cloud. The volcano called Mount Semeru is located on the border of the Lumajang District and Malang District in East Java.
It 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 Australia Volcanic Ash Advisory has issued a red aviation warning with the public prohibited from engaging in activities within 500 meters of the riverbank along Besuk Kobokan. It is believed to have erupted three times with the first occuring at 4.10 am (WIT).
The eruption was recorded on a seismograph with a maximum amplitude of 22 millimeters and a duration of 142 seconds. So far there are no reports of flights to nearby hotspots including Bali and Australia being cancelled. Passengers are advised to enquire with their airline regarding their flight.
More to follow.