10 Photos of Indonesia's Deadly Volcanic Eruption

10 Photos of Indonesia's Deadly Volcanic Eruption


BY FRAN BERKMAN1 day ago

At least 14 people died when an Indonesian volcano erupted Saturday, following months of increased activity.

As of Saturday afternoon, the reported death toll was 14, but that number could increase, according to the Associated Press, citing officials. Four high-school students and their teacher, as well as a local television journalist, were among those killed by Mount Sinabung's eruption.


SEE ALSO: Erupting Volcano Seen From Space

The eruption was not entirely unexpected. As Sinabung became increasingly volatile, tens of thousands of people evacuated the regions around the volcano in Namantaran, North Sumatra over the past few months.

Following decreased activity, nearly 14,000 people who lived outside a three-mile volcanic danger zone were allowed to return to their homes on Friday, the AP reported. Just a day later, the volcano erupted multiple times, sending lava up to 2.8 miles away.

Indonesia is no stranger to volcanic and seismic events. The Southeast Asian country is part of the "Ring of Fire" encircling the Pacific Ocean; it contains 75% of the world's active volcanos, and nearly 90% of the world's earthquakes take place there.

Take a look at 10 photos, below, which show the scale and devastation of Saturday's eruption.

Warning: Some of the images below are graphic in nature.






A resident looks at giant volcanic ash clouds from a village in Karo district during the eruption of Mount Sinabung. Fourteen people, including four schoolchildren, were killed after they were engulfed by scorching ash clouds, officials said.
IMAGE: CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES





A resident runs away to escape from hot volcanic ash clouds engulfing villages in Karo district during the eruption of Mount Sinabung.
IMAGE: SUTANTA ADITYA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES





A giant cloud of hot volcanic ash clouds engulfs villages in Karo district.
IMAGE: CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES





Indonesian residents attempt to rescue victims following the eruptions.
IMAGE: SUTANTA ADITYA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES





Relatives carry a coffin containing the body of a victim of the Mount Sinaburg eruption, at a hospital in Kabanjahe, North Sumatra, Indonesia.
IMAGE: BINSAR BAKKARA/ASSOCIATED PRESS





Residents flee from the hot volcanic ash clouds engulfing villages in Karo district.
IMAGE: SUTANTA ADITYA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES





A victim's body lies amongst ash following eruptions of Mount Sinabung.
IMAGE: SUTANTA ADITYA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES





Villagers watch as Mount Sinabung releases pyroclastic flows during the eruption. The rumbling volcano in western Indonesia has unleashed fresh clouds of searing gas, killing a number people and injuring few others.






Rescuers recover the body of a victim covered with hot volcanic ash at a village in Karo district .
IMAGE: SUTANTA ADITYA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES





A relative weeps after identifying a victim of the eruption of Mount Sinabung, at a hospital in Kabanjahe, North Sumatra, Indonesia.
IMAGE: BINSAR BAKKARA/ASSOCIATED PRESS