"People are called to not panic and to remain calm but must be alert while carrying out their activities. Use maskers and glasses for an anticipatory measure while conducting activities outdoor".
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Mount Merapi, one of the most active volcanos located in Central Java, produced a phreatic explosion again at 3:31 a.m. local time on Wednesday for about four minutes.

"From the monitoring posts in Jrakah and Kaliurang the explosion was seen rising up to 2,000 meter high, spreading ash southwestward to Magelang district. The volcano is currently under alert status," spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a press statement.

He said the crater of the mountain was covered by thick fog when it was monitored and medium to fast wind blew towards the Magelang district.

"People are called to not panic and to remain calm but must be alert while carrying out their activities. Use maskers and glasses for an anticipatory measure while conducting activities outdoor," he said.

For the time being Mount Merapi was closed for hiking.

He called on the people to monitor the development of the volcano`s activity through trusted media outlets and information sources.

"We urge them not to trust and spread hoaxes that may cause unrest," he said.

Reporter: Dewanto Samodro
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
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