Mount Sinabung volcano erupts in Indonesia, killing 7

By Tiffany Ap, Kathy Quiano and Yuli Yang, CNN
Updated 9:11 PM EDT, Sun May 22, 2016
A scorched home is seen on Sunday, May 22, 2016 after it was hit by the eruption of Indonesia's Mount Sinabung. The volcano unleashed hot clouds of ash Saturday, May 21, killing at least seven people in the western province of North Sumatra.
A scorched home is seen on Sunday, May 22, 2016 after it was hit by the eruption of Indonesia's Mount Sinabung. The volcano unleashed hot clouds of ash Saturday, May 21, killing at least seven people in the western province of North Sumatra.
Binsar Bakkara/AP
A dog covered in volcanic ash crouches down Sunday, May 22.
A dog covered in volcanic ash crouches down Sunday, May 22.
Binsar Bakkara/AP
Indonesian soldiers conduct search and rescue operations Sunday, May 22 in a North Sumatra village after the volcano eruption.
Indonesian soldiers conduct search and rescue operations Sunday, May 22 in a North Sumatra village after the volcano eruption.
ARDIANSYAH PUTRA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Coffins containing the bodies of the volcano eruption victims are lowered into a grave during a funeral Sunday, May 22.
Coffins containing the bodies of the volcano eruption victims are lowered into a grave during a funeral Sunday, May 22.
Binsar Bakkara/AP
Indonesian soldiers carry people's belongings during an evacuation Sunday, May 22.
Indonesian soldiers carry people's belongings during an evacuation Sunday, May 22.
Binsar Bakkara/AP
The area remains on the highest alert, and more eruptions are likely. The volcano has long been active, spewing smoke intermittently, as seen in June 2015.
The area remains on the highest alert, and more eruptions are likely. The volcano has long been active, spewing smoke intermittently, as seen in June 2015.
Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
A motorcyclist places a mask on his face in an area of North Sumatra covered by ash after an eruption in June 2015.
A motorcyclist places a mask on his face in an area of North Sumatra covered by ash after an eruption in June 2015.
Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Farmers work in the fields as smoke rises from Mount Sinabung in June 2015. A 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) area around the mountain was declared a danger zone in 2014 and residents told to evacuate, but people still returned to tend to their homes and land. <br />
Farmers work in the fields as smoke rises from Mount Sinabung in June 2015. A 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) area around the mountain was declared a danger zone in 2014 and residents told to evacuate, but people still returned to tend to their homes and land.
Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Smoke from Mount Sinabung billows behind a woman in June 2015.
Smoke from Mount Sinabung billows behind a woman in June 2015.
Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
More than 75% of Indonesians live within 39 kilometers (62 miles) of volcanoes that have had some activity during the last century, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
More than 75% of Indonesians live within 39 kilometers (62 miles) of volcanoes that have had some activity during the last century, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Lava runs down Mount Sinabung following the June 2015 eruption.
Lava runs down Mount Sinabung following the June 2015 eruption.
Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Mount Sinabung erupts in Indonesia

Story highlights

Mount Sinabung in the western province of North Sumatra erupted on Saturday

Potential for more eruptions remains high

Jakarta, Indonesia CNN  — 

At least seven people have died and two more are critically injured after Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung erupted on Saturday, the country’s National Disaster Management Agency reported.

Fast Facts: Volcanoes

The seven victims were in Gembar village in the western province of North Sumatra when the eruption occurred at 4:48 p.m. local time (9:48 a.m. GMT). Search teams comprised of police, military, Indonesian Red Cross and volunteers continue to search for other victims.

Thousands evacuated in June 2015

This May 8 file photo of the Bogoslof volcano in Alaska's Aleutian islands shows a crater now filled by a warm saltwater lake. The volcano erupted on Bogoslof Island on Sunday, May 28, producing an ash cloud that reached up to 45,000 feet, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
This May 8 file photo of the Bogoslof volcano in Alaska's Aleutian islands shows a crater now filled by a warm saltwater lake. The volcano erupted on Bogoslof Island on Sunday, May 28, producing an ash cloud that reached up to 45,000 feet, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
Alaska Volcano Observatory
Villagers look on as Mount Sinabung volcano spews thick volcanic ash in Karo, Indonesia, on Friday, May 19.
Villagers look on as Mount Sinabung volcano spews thick volcanic ash in Karo, Indonesia, on Friday, May 19.
Ivan Damanik/AFP/Getty Images
The Turrialba volcano spews smoke and ash in May 2016 in Cartago, Costa Rica. Experts say it is the strongest eruption from the volcano in the past six years.
The Turrialba volcano spews smoke and ash in May 2016 in Cartago, Costa Rica. Experts say it is the strongest eruption from the volcano in the past six years.
EZEQUIEL BECERRA/AFP/Getty Images
The Pavlof volcano erupts on Alaska's remote Aleutian Island archipelago in March 2016.
The Pavlof volcano erupts on Alaska's remote Aleutian Island archipelago in March 2016.
Colt Snapp/Alaska Volcano Observatory
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The Ecuadorian volcano Tungurahua spews lava and ash in Cahuaji, about 80 miles south of Quito, in February 2016. Authorities raised the alert level from yellow to orange after the volcano increased its activity and projected a column of ash 3 miles high.
JUAN CEVALLOS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The Soputan volcano spews lava and ash during an eruption on Indonesia's Sulawesi island in January 2016.
The Soputan volcano spews lava and ash during an eruption on Indonesia's Sulawesi island in January 2016.
Adwit B Pramono/ANTARA FOTO/Reuters/Landov
The Momotombo volcano erupts just before daybreak in Leon, Nicaragua, on December 4, 2015. The volcano had been quiet for many years.
The Momotombo volcano erupts just before daybreak in Leon, Nicaragua, on December 4, 2015. The volcano had been quiet for many years.
Esteban Felix/AP
Smoke rises over the Italian city of Taormina during an eruption of Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, in December 2015.
Smoke rises over the Italian city of Taormina during an eruption of Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, in December 2015.
GIOVANNI ISOLINO/AFP/Getty Images
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Cotopaxi, a volcano in Ecuador, sends large gray puffs of ash into the sky on August 14, 2015. Officials declared a yellow alert, the lowest level.
Getty Images
Thick ash, rock fragments and volcanic gases pour from <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1246978">Mount Sinabung</a> in Indonesia. The government's natural disaster management agency raised the alert level on June 5, 2015.
Thick ash, rock fragments and volcanic gases pour from Mount Sinabung in Indonesia. The government's natural disaster management agency raised the alert level on June 5, 2015.
Ahmad Zikri Mohamad Zuki/CNN iReport
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Mount Shindake spews ash on Kuchinoerabu Island in Yakushima, Japan, in May 2015. The volcano erupted shortly before 10 a.m. local time, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images
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Carlos F. Gutierrez/ap
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Kent Gilbert/Xinhua/Landov
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From USGS
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Recently active volcanoes

Gembar village, along with three other villages, is inside a four-kilometer (2.5 mile) danger zone declared in October 2014. Nearly 5,000 residents were evacuated at the time but Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said some locals still enter the zone, staying intermittently to tend to their homes, property and farms.

It is unclear how many people were in the inclusion zone area.

Mount Sinabung is still on the highest alert level and potential for more eruptions remain high.

The head of the National Disaster Management Agency has ordered the immediate evacuation of people who insist on staying within the zone.

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