Mt. Ine Like erupts

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Thousands of residents of Naru, Menge and Bou villages in Flores island have been forced the flee their homes and seek refuge at Bajawa, Ngada regency after the nearby Mt. Ine Like began spewing hot ash on Thursday night.

The 1,559-meter high volcano, located some 13 kilometers south of Bajawa, began to belching the hot ash around 7 p.m.

"Residents are terrified and every kiosks and house was abandoned. We are coordinating with related offices to help these people. If possible, I will visit the village," Ngada Regent Albertus Botha said on Friday.

No casualties have been reported.

Mt. Ine Like has been inactive for quite sometime with the last recorded eruption occurring in 1905.(yac/edt)