A volcano in Indonesia that is popular with tourists erupted on Sunday in Java, the main island of Indonesia injuring ten people on site.
Sileri Crater that is based at Dieng Plateau spewed cold lava, ash and mud up to 50 metres into the sky when it abruptly erupted around 11.30 a.m. local time. As many as 17 tourists accumulated around the crater at that time and ten are currently undergoing medical treatment at a hospital, according to an account of Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the spokesman for National Disaster Mitigation Agency.
Police officers and soldiers were rushed to the scene immediately.
On the other hand, the local inhabitants and tourists were urged to evacuate this area taking into consideration the probability of further eruptions of the volcano.
Sileri is the most fatal and active volcano with as many as 10 craters at Dieng Plateau. Its last eruption had been in the year 2009. During this point of time it had released volcanic materials up to about 200 metres high and resulted in the creation of three new craters.
Dieng Plateau that is based in the Central Java province district of Barjarnegara is a favored tourist delight on account of its cool climate and Hindu temples dating back to the ninth century. It is seated about 6,600 feet above sea level.
Besides, the volcano is also a popular attraction for trekkers and one can go close to the edge of the crater via stairs.
To add to the woes, a rescue helicopter that had attempted to help the volcano victims crashed close to it, killing eight people on board, as per officials who confirmed the news on Monday.
