Climbers should avoid Mount Egon

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara, People should not attempt to climb Mount Egon because they could be at risk from increased activity in the volcano's crater, the East Nusa Tenggara provincial government says.

A report released by the Jakarta-based Volcano Observation Office for Eastern Indonesia says Mount Egon has been spewing out hot ashes, rocks and lava since Feb. 7.

The mountain's last major active phase occurred in November last year, causing thousands of villagers living nearby to leave the area. -- JP