Thousands to be evacuated after Mount Ibu eruption in Indonesia

Thousands of islanders are set to be evacuated after a volcano erupted in eastern Indonesia, spewing a towering column of smoke and ash into the atmosphere, officials said on Wednesday.

Mount Ibu, located on the remote island of Halmahera, erupted for a fifth time this year on Wednesday, sending a column of smoke four kilometres into the sky.

Indonesia’s Geological Agency subsequently raised the volcano’s alert status to the highest level.

“Following the increase in Mount Ibu’s (alert) level...