Sinabung volcano (Sumatra): eruption news and activity updates

Sinabung volcano (Sumatra) - series of pyroclastic flows kill at least 14 people

Sad news today: the volcano claimed its first victims this morning due to a direct effect of the eruption. At least 14 people were reported killed and 3 others severely bunt by one or two moderately large pyroclastic flows this morning. 3 more people are still reported missing.
According to Jakarta Post all fatalities that could be located so far had occurred in Suka Meriah village, which is located within a 3-kilometer radius of the volcano, thus in well in the exclusion zone. However, during the past days, enforcement of the exclusion zone had been loosened, and according to some sources, people had even be formally allowed to return to their homes,- a fatal decision for some.
Among the fatalities were several school children and students.
Rescue operations were affected by fears of new pyroclastic flows.

According to BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, there were three eruptions: the first eruption occurred at 10:30 a.m. (local time) and lasted for eight-and-a-half-minutes, generating a 4.5 km long pyroclastic flow, while the second followed immediately after at 10:38 a.m. and lasted just over four minutes, followed by a third one at 11:27 a.m. for 84 seconds.
It is not exactly clear where the pyroclastic flow originated, from explosions at the summit, collapse of the summit lava dome, or from (partial collapse) on the viscous flow that had recently been emplaced. The latter two scenarios are the more likely ones. Webcam images don't show much detail except a dense ash plume engulfing the southern slope.

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• 14 presumed dead, three critically injured as Mt Sinabung spews ash (Jakarta Post)

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