Ruang volcano, located in the middle of Ruang island off the coast of Sulawesi, erupted on April 30, with volcanic ash columns reaching 2,000 meters high. The first eruption of the 725-meter-high volcano was recorded on April 17, after weeks of activity and earthquakes.
The National Disaster Management Authority has not received any reports of deaths or injuries related to the eruption. However, evacuation operations are still continuing. There are about 9,000 residents living on Tagulandang island and authorities are deploying 11 ships and a helicopter to evacuate the remaining 5,700 residents.
People continue to be evacuated after the Ruang volcano became active. Source: Antara
Head of the Indonesian Disaster Mitigation Agency, Lieutenant General Suharyanto, flew to North Sulawesi’s Manado to discuss damage reduction and evacuation efforts. Authorities have prepared seven temporary shelters on Siau island, about 52 km from the volcano, and set up emergency medical facilities and kitchens for evacuees. Six airports in North Sulawesi were closed after the last eruption, including Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado, located about 100 km from the volcano. Authorities also stopped operations at Djalaluddin airport in neighboring Gorontalo province, but flights resumed on the morning of May 2.
Speaking at a press conference, North Sulawesi Governor Olly said the government is planning to permanently relocate all residents from Ruang Island because it is too dangerous. Residents will likely be relocated to Likupang in North Minahasa district and an area in South Bolaang Mongondow district. Both areas were relatively safe from the impact of the Ruang volcano eruption.