Indonesia's deadly volcano eruption

Last Updated: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 01:41:00 +1100

Indonesia's most volatile volcano is erupting, spewing plumes of hot ash and hurling rocks into the air.

Vulcanologists say Mount Merapi, in central Java, began erupting just before dusk local time.

One death has been reported so far, a three month old baby who died of breathing difficulties after inhaling volcanic ash.

At least 24 people have been treated for breathing difficulties, while other have been treated for burns.

Television footage has shown thousands of people fleeing the area, some covered in white ash.

Thousands of residents living on the volcano's slopes have been evacuated in the past few days.

However, a further 13 thousand people need to be evacuated from within a six kilometre radius of the volcano.

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