Indonesia volcano: residents reluctant to leave villages

As thousands flee, there are many people who are reluctant to leave affected villages as the volcano continues to spew material.

Authorities raced to evacuate residents reluctant to leave affected villages from the erupting Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano in Indonesia's Flores Timur on Sunday (10 November).

The 1,584-metre-high (5,196.85-ft.) volcano has continued to spew volcanic material from its crater for a week since November 3, prompting authorities to expand the danger area and increasing the number of evacuees.

"This volcanic ash is more directed towards Maumere so many villages are affected," explained Maumere Police Officer, Agustinus Silvester. "Most of them are displaced due to the impact of this volcanic ash."

However, facing a limited supply of vehicles, the authorities could only evacuate those who were willing to leave.

"We plan to evacuate some of the remaining residents again but due to our limited transport fleet, we will wait. As soon as we can, there will be (further) evacuation for the remaining villagers," he added.

Others, like 48-year-old villager, Matheus Budi, would rather evacuate on his own.

"I'd rather evacuate by myself because I have fields and plants here so I can collect and sell the crops (in order to survive)," he said.

The Indonesian Volcanology Agency plans to expand to 9 km from 8 km (5 miles) the zone southwest to northwest of the crater that people are not allowed to enter, head of the agency said on Saturday (9 November).

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