At least 49 people have been killed in the latest eruption of Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano - more than doubling the death toll since it became active again last week. Dozens are being treated for burns and respiratory problems after a gas cloud hit villages with even greater force than the previous eruptions. More than 90 people are now said to have been killed. An estimated 75,000 residents have been evacuated from the area.
Mount Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanoes, is located in a densely populated area in central Java. The latest eruption began late on Thursday, sending residents streaming down the mountain with ash-covered faces. Rescue workers said villages in the area were in flames and bodies burnt beyond recognition.
'Danger zone'
Many of the dead are believed to be children from Argomulyo village, 18km (11 miles) from the crater, the Associated Press news agency quoted emergency officials as saying.
Victims were covered in hot ash following the latest Merapi eruption.
The agency quoted hospital spokesman Heru Nugroho as saying that 48 bodies had been brought in after the inferno, and that 66 others had been injured - although these figures were not independently confirmed.
Earlier, government volcanologist Surono told AFP: "This is the biggest eruption so far. The heat clouds went down the slopes as far as 13km (eight miles) and the explosion was heard as far as 20 kilometres away."
The authorities have decided to widen the "danger zone" around the crater from 15 km (9 miles) to 20km (12 miles). A rescue official told the BBC some of the casualties could have been avoided if residents had stayed away from the danger zone.
Scientists are warning of further eruptions in the coming weeks. Indonesia is also dealing with the aftermath of another natural disaster, after a tsunami hit the Mentawai islands last week, claiming more than 400 lives and sending thousands into emergency shelters.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Dictionary
Death toll | people killed: the total number of people killed as a result of an event such as a road accident or natural disaster |
Resident | somebody living in place: a permanent or long-term dweller in a place |
Densely | dense : tightly packed: so close together that there is little sense of open or unoccupied space |
Crater | volcano summit: a circular funnel-shaped depression produced by volcanic eruption |
Inferno | conflagration: a very large fire burning fiercely and uncontrollably, or a place being consumed by a large uncontrollable fire |
Casualty | accident victim: somebody who has a fatal accident or receives a serious injury |
Aftermath | period following bad event: the consequences of an event, especially a disastrous one, or the period of time during which these consequences are felt |
Shelter | refuge: an establishment providing temporary accommodations and food for people in need or without a home |
My pray and thought for the victims of Merapi volcanic eruption. #PrayForIndonesia.
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