The Indonesian authorities will permanently relocate the entire population of Ruaung Island as the local volcano threatens their safety, Bloomberg reports.
Last month, there was an eruption of the 725-meter Ruaung volcano, which led to the closure of nearby airports and the cancellation of flights due to volcanic ash.
The authorities have declared a state of emergency until May 14 due to the threat of a tsunami if parts of the volcano collapse due to the eruption. The island’s population, which is about 10,000 people, will be resettled approximately 40 kilometers away in North Sulawesi province on the island of Sulawesi.
The Indonesian government has stated that they will build houses for the resettled population. After the evacuation is completed, Ruaung is planned to be designated as a nature reserve.
The publication notes that Indonesia, with a population of over 270 million people, is located on the “Ring of Fire” — a series of seismic faults around the Pacific Ocean — and has over 100 active volcanoes located on thousands of islands, including popular tourist destinations.
