20,000 evacuated as volcano erupts in Indonesia

Indonesia has issued a warning to all international and domestic flights to re-route their pathway near Mount Sinabung since the volcano erupted Nov 18, the biggest eruption since the volcano first rumbled back to life in September after being dormant for three years. Mount Sinabung has erupted intermittently since then.



Transport Ministry Spokesman Bambang Ervan said the volcanic ash of the volcano was found up to 25,000 metres high in the air, endangering flights.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago country with 17,500 islands, is home to 129 active volcanoes and is located on a vulnerable earthquake-prone zone known as the 'Pacific Ring of Fire'.