Indonesia's most active volcano, Mount Merapi, erupted early Friday, spewing sand and pyroclastic material and sending an ash column as high as 5500 metres (18,045 feet) into the sky.
The sudden eruption was accompanied by a rumbling sound with medium to strong pressure, Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.
People living within 5km of the crater evacuated to barracks set up for the displaced or left for other safe places.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.Nugroho said Adi Sucipto airport in Yogyakarta was closed for about one hour due to the spread of volcanic ash. It has reopened.
