More People Evacuate as Volcano Erupts in Indonesia

JAKARTA -- The spokesman of the National Disaster Management Agency Priyadi Kardono said the number of evacuees in the volcano eruption in Indonesia has risen to more than 21,000 on Monday and was expected to further rise. The spokesman said the addition 9,000 evacuees have caused overcrowding in shelters. Moreover, some of the evacuees have fallen ill, mostly from respiratory disorders. Kardono said the sudden eruption of mount Sinabung on Sunday had left authorities unprepared. So far, several buildings have been used as shelters. The agency has dispatched more than 500 million rupiah or a little over 56,000 U.S. dollars. The Health Ministry has also contributed emergency funds while the Ministry of Social Affair will send logistic. On Monday morning, mount Sinabung re-erupted, after authorities declared a red top alert following the initial eruption on Sunday. Meanwhile, the head of the Volcanology Agency said they will closely monitor the activity of the volcano and has advised those living in the six kilometer danger zone to evacuate the area.

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-08/30/c_13469234.htm