Asia-Pacific

Indonesian VP to observe erupted volcano

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-26 13:25

JAKARTA - Indonesia's Vice President Boediono will fly to Yogyakarta province to observe the latest development of erupted Mount Merapi, detikcom online news reported on Tuesday.

Boediono will be accompanied by Minister for Public Works Djoko Kirmanto and Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih.

A view of the Mount Merapi volcano emitting smoke is seen from Cangkringan village in the district of Sleman, central Java Oct 25, 2010. Indonesia Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center issued a high alert status warning for the volcano, according to local radio Elsinta. [Photo/Agencies]

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Vice presidential spokesperson Yopie Hidayat said that several concrete steps would be taken for disaster mitigation during the visit.

The Jakarta Post reported that Mount Merapi has erupted several times on Monday afternoon, spewing lava down its southern and southeastern slopes.

Three major eruptions were recorded at 14:04 (0704 GMT), 14:24 (0724 GMT) and 15:15 (0815 GMT), according to reports from Merapi monitors.

Merapi has seen an increase in volcanic activity over the past week, leading officials to raise warnings to the highest level and order the immediate evacuation of about 10,000 residents near the volcano.

Merapi last erupted in 2006, when sending an avalanche of blistering gases and rock fragments racing down its slopes, killing two people.

A similar eruption in 1994 killed 60, while 1,300 people died in an eruption in 1930.

Villagers ride on motorcycles as Mount Merapi volcano emits smoke from Cangkringan village October 25, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]