According to Hendra Gunawan, a volcano expert at Sinabung observation post in Brastagi, the seismic activity of the volcano remains high and there was the potential for further eruptions.

Sukandebi village, situated just six kilometers (3.7 miles) from the volcano, has been particularly affected by the new eruption.

Some villagers, mostly women and children have left the area, but many of the men have remained behind to take care of the houses and animals.

Authorities are closely monitoring the volcano after placing it at the highest alert level in early June last year.

The 2,600-metre (8,530-foot) high mountain in Karo District had been dormant for four centuries before springing to life in August 2010, killing two people and forcing 30,000 to flee. An eruption in February 2014 killed 16 people.

Mount Sinabung is among more than 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

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