An Indonesian official said on May 17 that hundreds of people living near an erupting volcano in eastern Indonesia have been evacuated after authorities raised its alert status to the highest level.

At least seven people were killed and hundreds injured at a 6.2-magnitude earthquake which happened on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island early on January 15.

Indonesian authorities on March 7 ended the search for victims of last week's mine collapse on Sulawesi island as the death toll climbed to 27 and dozens are still feared missing.

Indonesian authorities asked residents living near Merapi volcano on Java island to promptly evacuate and shut down an airport in Yogyakarta city after the mount erupted.