Indonesia's Marapi volcano erupts, spewing ash

Indonesia's Marapi volcano in West Sumatra province erupted on Sunday, spewing volcanic ash as high as 3,000 metres into the air, according to the country's disaster management agency BNPB.

The 2,891-metre-high volcano erupted at 2.54 pm local time (11:54 am UAE time), and volcanic ash was dispersed at high intensity to nearby districts, authorities said. Pictures from BNPB showed cars and roads covered with ash.

Authorities have barred residents and visitors from carrying out any activities within 3 kilometres of the crater, and have set the second-highest alert level for Marapi mountain.

"We have distributed masks to residents and encouraged them to stay inside their houses," said Ade Setiawan, an official at BPBD's local disaster management unit.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific's so-called "Ring of Fire" and has 127 active volcanoes, according to the volcanology agency.