- Title: INDONESIA: Residents near Mount Merapi volcano prepare for evacuation
- Date: 27th October 2010
- Summary: STUDENTS SHELTER KITCHEN GLASS AND JUG ELDERLY WOMAN SITS OUTSIDE SHELTER WOMEN AND CHILDREN INSIDE SHELTER WOMEN TALKING
- Embargoed: 11th November 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Indonesia
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Environment / Natural World
- Reuters ID: LVAE6CKIE528GD9PVQMZLY0QPD7J
- Story Text: Some villagers living on the slope of Indonesia's Mount Merapi were moved to shelters as authorities raised the alert status of the volcano to its highest level on Monday (October 25) after it spewed hot clouds at the weekend.
Authorities prepared 23 shelters to evacuate 11,000 villagers and many were seen heading to the temporary shelters.
Villagers said on Monday at 3.00 p.m. (0800 GMT), a warning siren went off when hot gas stretched beyond 4 km (2.5 miles), sparking panic among some residents.
"I have been staying here from yesterday, my neighbours took refuge, so I followed them," said housewife Asmo Wiyono.
Officials said there are villagers who are still staying in their homes, but some have been forced to move to the shelters.
"We forced people who live very close to the volcano to stay here in the shelter, especially elderly people, children, women, pregnant women, disabled and those who are sick. From two villages, which are very close to the volcano, there are 93 people staying in the barrack," said Henry, Deputy Chief of Cangkringan village, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.
The volcano has become more active since an earthquake struck the area in May 2006 killing more than 5,700 people.
More than 60 people were killed when Merapi last erupted in 1994, while 1,300 died in a 1930 eruption. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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