Indonesia has raised the alert level for Mount Semeru in East Java to its highest status after the volcano erupted on Wednesday (Nov 19) afternoon, sending ash and gas up to 2km into the sky. Authorities warned residents to stay at least 8km away from the crater. Semeru’s last major eruption in 2021 killed over 50 people and displaced thousands. #indonesia #indonesianews #semeru #volcano | CNA

Indonesia’s Mount Semeru, the tallest peak on Java Island, has erupted, prompting evacuations and leading authorities to raise the alert to the highest level. Ash clouds as high as 2 kilometres high were seen spewing above the mountain’s peak and a mixture of rock, lava and gas travelled up to 7km down its slopes several times from midday to dusk. More than 300 residents in the three villages most at risk in the district of Lumajang were evacuated to government shelters, but no casualties have b