Indonesia: President Susilo declares national disaster as tens of thousands flee latest eruptions
Yogyakarta, 5 November 2010: After the most violent eruptions yet, tens of thousands of people are on the move away from Mount Merapi on the Indonesian island of Java. Many have fled to the city of Yogyakarta where they find shelter at the city's main football stadium. The death toll stands at over 120 after hot ash and gas cascaded down the mountain overnight. Some 200,000 are now reported to fled their homes seeking shelter. By early morning the stadium has already received some 5,000 people and local authorities, security forces, the local Red Cross, NGOs and hundreds of local volunteers are now scrambling to provide to the basic needs of the displaced, such as food, water and basic medical attention. Indonesia's president has declared the crisis a "national disaster".
Mount Merapi or "Fire Mountain" erupted on 26 October. Local vulcanalogists are concerned further violent eruptions could follow. Huge columns of hot gas and ash continue to rise many kilometers into the sky and the region is being blanketed in a thin layer of fine ash, stinging eyes and throats.
Video credit: Mathias Eick EU/ECHO
Indonesia: President Susilo declares national disaster as tens of thousands flee latest eruptions
Yogyakarta, 5 November 2010: After the most violent eruptions yet, tens of thousands of people are on the move away from Mount Merapi on the Indonesian island of Java. Many have fled to the city of Yogyakarta where they find shelter at the city's main football stadium. The death toll stands at over 120 after hot ash and gas cascaded down the mountain overnight. Some 200,000 are now reported to fled their homes seeking shelter. By early morning the stadium has already received some 5,000 people and local authorities, security forces, the local Red Cross, NGOs and hundreds of local volunteers are now scrambling to provide to the basic needs of the displaced, such as food, water and basic medical attention. Indonesia's president has declared the crisis a "national disaster".
Mount Merapi or "Fire Mountain" erupted on 26 October. Local vulcanalogists are concerned further violent eruptions could follow. Huge columns of hot gas and ash continue to rise many kilometers into the sky and the region is being blanketed in a thin layer of fine ash, stinging eyes and throats.
Video credit: Mathias Eick EU/ECHO