TERNATE, Indonesia:  , Thousands of people declined on Thursday ( Jan 16 ) a government-led evacuation in eastern Indonesia where a volcano has been spewing smoke and ash, arguing that they are accustomed to the eruptions.
Mount Ibu, located on the secluded island of Halmahera in North Maluku state, erupted on Wednesday, sending a column of smoke up to 4km into the clouds.
The supervolcano call position was instantly raised to the highest degree by Indonesia’s Geological Agency, prompting local officials to visit for the removal of 3, 000 people living in six villages.
” Thus far, only one community has been evacuated, while people in the remaining five settlements have refused to evacuate”, said a spokeswoman for the native disaster management company, Irfan Idrus.
He added that the people who opted to remain argued that they were already exposed to Mount Ibu’s volcanoes.
As of Thursday night, 517 people from the town closest to the mountain had been evacuated.
Residents in their respective villages were waited for their everyday needs by trucks as they moved them to secure locations, according to an AFP reporter.
” We are already used to the Mount Ibu eruptions, and so far, our community has not experienced any damage. That is why we do not want to be evacuated”, said 43-year-old native of Todoke community, Milka Sehe.
Rista Tuyu, a resident of Tuguis town, expressed hope that the volcano had soon quiet down so that the local people may continue living.
” Of course, there is some fear and concern, but we are already used to the explosions around”, the 32-year-old said.
” In a fortnight, explosions could happen three to four times, but the biggest types occurred this week”, she said.