Hundreds of residents were evacuated from the island of Halmahera in Indonesia after Mount Ibu volcano erupted on Wednesday. The eruption sent a smoke column up to four kilometers into the sky. Authorities raised the volcano’s alert status to the highest level, warning of further danger.
Indonesia’s Geological Agency announced the evacuation of around 3,000 people living near the volcano. By Thursday morning, 517 residents from the closest village had been evacuated, with plans to move the rest by afternoon.
Evacuation Efforts Face Challenges
Evacuation efforts began on Wednesday evening but faced delays due to logistical and administrative issues. Heavy rainfall on Thursday further slowed the process. Local disaster management spokesperson Irfan Idrus confirmed that shelters were ready, and a full evacuation of six villages was planned for later in the day.
Trucks lined up in villages to transport residents to safety. However, many residents, accustomed to the volcano’s frequent eruptions, were still going about their daily routines.
“Eruptions happen here often, but this week has been the most intense,” said Rista Tuyu, a 32-year-old resident. She expressed hope that the volcano would calm down soon, allowing life to return to normal.
Volcanic Activity on the Rise
Mount Ibu, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, has shown increased activity since June last year. In January alone, the volcano erupted nine times, following a series of earthquakes.
Officials have established a five to six-kilometer exclusion zone around the peak and advised residents and tourists to avoid the area. Face masks have also been recommended to protect against falling ash.
Halmahera island, home to approximately 700,000 people as of 2022, is part of Indonesia’s Pacific Ring of Fire, an area prone to frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
Past Volcanic Disasters in Indonesia
Indonesia has a history of devastating volcanic eruptions. In November 2024, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores island erupted multiple times, killing nine people and displacing many. Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi also erupted several times last year, forcing thousands to evacuate nearby islands.
As Mount Ibu continues its volatile activity, officials remain on high alert, prioritizing the safety of residents in the affected areas.
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