3,000 evacuated near Indonesia's Mount Ibu after eruption

Rescue teams have evacuated 3,000 residents from areas surrounding Indonesia's Mount Ibu following a recent eruption, ensuring their safety amid volcanic activity.

Authorities in Indonesia have begun evacuating 3,000 residents from areas surrounding Mount Ibu on the eastern island of Halmahera after the volcano erupted this week. The eruption sent a thick cloud of grey ash 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) into the sky, prompting officials to raise the alert level to the highest severity.

The evacuation began late on Wednesday, with those living closest to the volcano being prioritized. Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia’s disaster agency, confirmed that 13,000 people reside near the volcano, although only 3,000 are currently being evacuated.

"Judging from the situation on the ground, it is still pretty stable," Muhari stated.

Ibu's eruption follows a series of volcanic activities across Indonesia, which sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and has 127 active volcanoes. Ibu also erupted last year, forcing the evacuation of residents from seven nearby villages.

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