Due to volcanic ash, the closest international airport in Indonesia to a volcano that has erupted five times in recent days has been ordered closed for twenty-four hours, the transport ministry announced on Thursday.
On Tuesday night, Mount Ruang began to erupt, shooting an ash cloud over a mile high into the sky. Following four more eruptions on Wednesday, officials increased the alert level to the highest of a four-tiered system and issued a warning that falling debris might result in a tsunami.
Because of this, Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado, which is over 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Mount Ruang, had to close until Thursday evening.
Ambar Suryoko, the chief of the Manado region airport authority office, stated in a statement that it closed “due to the spread of volcanic ash which could endanger flight safety.”
Airlines that travel to Singapore, South Korea, and China are served by this airport.
According to a statement from the transport ministry, the shutdown started on Wednesday at 7:26 p.m. local time (1126 GMT) and will last till Thursday night.
Additionally, an airport official verified the shutdown to AFP.
By phone, 29-year-old airport officer Dimas, who goes by one name, stated, “All flights… impacted because the Sam Ratulangi airport is affected by the eruption of Mount Ruang, volcanic ash.”
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