Indonesia Raises Alert to Highest Level as Mount Semeru Eruption Covers Villages in Ash

Indonesia’s highest peak, Mount Semeru, erupted violently on Wednesday, covering several villages with falling ash and prompting mass evacuations. The volcano, located in East Java province, spewed hot ash clouds, rock, lava, and gas up to 7 kilometers down its slopes, with a thick column rising 2 kilometers into the air, according to the Indonesia Geology Agency. Alert levels were raised to the highest after the eruption, but no casualties have been reported. Over 300 residents in the most at-risk villages were evacuated to government shelters, and the danger zone was widened to 8 kilometers from the crater.