Indonesia’s Marapi volcano erupts and blankets nearby villages with ash

By RAHMA NURJANA
Associated Press

PADANG, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s Mount Marapi has erupted and is spewing white-and-gray ash plumes more than 9,800 feet into the air. No casualties have been reported. Two routes for climbers were closed after the eruption Sunday and about 1,400 people living on the mountain’s slopes were advised to stay away from the crater’s mouth because of potential lava. About 70 climbers started up the mountain Saturday and became stranded. So far, 49 have been evacuated with the rest still awaiting rescue. Several villages were blanketed with falling ash that blocked sunlight, and authorities distributed masks and urged residents to wear glasses to protect them from volcanic ash. Marapi has been active since January.