Hundreds flee after volcano erupts

JAKARTA: Hundreds of people on an eastern Indonesian island have been forced from their homes by a volcanic eruption, a local government official said on Saturday.

Mount Sirung on Pantar Island in East Nusa Tenggara province began spewing smoke and dust about two days ago, said Johanis Kosapilawan, a spokesman for the provincial government.

He said hundreds of residents within one or two kilometers of the volcano had been moved to a safer area. -- AFP