JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Thousands of residents have fled villages near an Indonesian volcano that has been erupting this week and has a history of violent explosions.
Mount Lokon spews volcanic smoke in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on Tuesday.
Disaster managment official Warsito said the people from nearbby villages evacuated Tuesday to a school in the district town of Tomohon.
Mount Lokon has been at the highest alert level since Sunday and has had small eruptions daily. People were urged to stay up to 2.2 miles away from the 5,741-foot (1,750-meter) volcano.
The mountain in north Sulawesi province is one of about 129 active volcanos in Indonesia.
Its last major eruption in 1991 killed a Swiss hiker and forced thousands of people to flee their homes.
