Merapi spews hot lava

SEMARANG: Mount Merapi as of yesterday morning has continued to spew hot lava down to the Bebeng and Krasak rivers in the Magelang regency.

The head of the Merapi research section of the directorate of volcanology, Mas Atje Purbawinata, said that between Wednesday to yesterday morning, 99 volcanic quakes had been recorded.

Residents in the nearby areas have been put on alert and must be ready to move should volcanic activity increase.

As reported by Antara, Mas Atje explained that the danger to residents comes not only from poisonous gas but also from hot lava and other hot material from the crater. (mds)