JAKARTA, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A volcanic eruption in Indonesia has prompted more than 75,000 people to evacuate eastern Java and resulted in the deaths of three people.
Indonesian National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho reported Friday that two people died from smoke inhalation and one from falling debris. The government ordered the evacuation of all residents within a 6.2 mile radius of the Mount Kelud volcano, which has experienced increased volcanic activity in the last 10 days.
CNN noted pictures showed "large black plumes rising over Mount Kelud, raining pebbles and ash on the surrounding area." The disaster agency reported lightning was also seen striking the volcano's peak during the eruption.
Seven airports are closed because of the volcanic ash that has been spewing since at least Thursday. Yogyakarta airport manager Andi Wirson said that the airport's runway was covered in almost two inches of ash.
The Indonesian military is assisting with evacuation efforts and taking people to nearby shelters.
[CNN] [BBC]
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