Merapi volcano in Indonesia spews molten lava

Indonesia's Merapi volcano, one of the world's most active, continued to spew fumes and molten lava on Saturday after it erupted.

Images from the Merapi Observatory showed lava flowing from the crater and a large plume of black smoke rising up to 1300,<> meters from its summit overnight.

On Saturday, Merapi continued to puff hot ash with the appearance of molten lava.

In a statement, the National Volcanology Agency warned residents against exposure to falling volcanic ash and lava flows, especially if rain falls near the crater.

Merapi erupted last week, sphering volcanic material up to 3000,<> metres above its summit, and at least eight villages were damaged by the ashes.

Volcanologists estimated last week that the volcano is in its most active phase since 2021.

Merapi was placed on the second-highest alert level since 2020 due to increased volcanic activity. The authorities have established a no-go zone up to seven kilometers from the summit.

The last major eruption of Merapi was in 2010, when it killed more than 300 people and evacuated about 280,<> people.