Overview

• Mount Ibu, located on Halmahera island in North Maluku province, erupted multiple times this week, sending ash clouds up to 4 kilometers high.
• The volcano's alert status was raised to the highest level, prompting a call to evacuate 3,000 residents from six nearby villages.
• Despite evacuation orders, only 517 residents from the closest village have relocated, while others cite familiarity with eruptions as their reason for staying.
• Authorities are coordinating with local leaders to ensure evacuations proceed, as the affected areas fall within a designated exclusion zone of five to six kilometers.
• Mount Ibu, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, has experienced increased activity since June 2024, with nine eruptions recorded in January alone.