World

Indonesia Volcano Sends Massive Ash Cloud A Mile Up

At least 14 are dead after a massive volcanic eruption in Indonesia. Ash reportedly rose more than a mile into the air Saturday.

Indonesia Volcano Sends Massive Ash Cloud A Mile Up
BBC
SMS

At least 14 are dead after a massive volcanic eruption in Indonesia.

This is a look at the massive cloud of ash that came shooting out of Mount Sinabung Saturday. (Via BBC)

Ash has reportedly rose more than a mile into the air. This is just the latest of hundreds of eruptions. (Via KGTV)

The volcano has been erupting off and on for the last few months. In mid-January, CNN reported 16 people had died because of illnesses tied to Sinabung's eruptions since September.

In fact, Sinabung erupted more than 200 times in one week last month as its volatility continued. Before September, Sinabung had been dormant for three years. It's unclear why it has been so active lately.

A spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency said he expects the the number of victims to rise because rescuers haven't been able to go spots that are completely covered in ash clouds.

According to Sky News, at least four of those who died in Saturday's eruption were on a sightseeing trip to see the active volcano.

Al Jazeera reports the eruption comes just one day after officials let 14,000 locals return home after evacuating because of recent eruptions. Before 2010, Sinabung had been dormant for 400 years.