Indonesia's Semeru volcano erupts, highest alert declared

Indonesia's Semeru volcano erupted on Wednesday, prompting the country's volcanology agency to raise the alert level to the maximum. The eruption generated a series of pyroclastic density currents flowing down the volcano's slopes, according to Indonesia's Geological Agency.

Authorities warned that people should stay at least 8 km from the summit because hot rocks could be hurled from the crater. Residents outside the exclusion zone have also been advised to remain at least 500 meters from riverbanks along the Besuk Kobokan corridor.