Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung volcano on the island of Sumatra is continuing to spew ash as the number of dead rises to at least 15. <br /><br />Activity had increased in recent months, however it is the first time that it has claimed any lives.<br /><br />The government has evacuated tens of thousands of residents near the area of the almost 2,500 metre volcano.<br /><br />Rescuers were continuing to search for further victims of the eruption, which happened on Saturday.<br /><br />One local volcanologist said that “in order to access the bodies they have to go into prohibited areas” as it’s an emergency. <br /><br />They are commonly affected by hot clouds so they will “need to consider limiting the number of personnel, time spent and equipment used.”<br /><br />The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation had put the volcano on the highest alert status – setting a five kilometre radius danger zone from the mountain peak. <br /><br />Mount Sinabung is one of nearly 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia. In 2010, 350 people were killed when Mount Merapi in the centre of the country erupted.
