Dozens die in new Mount Merapi eruption in Indonesia

At least 54 people have been killed in the latest eruption of Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano - more than doubling the death toll since it became active again last week.

Dozens are being treated for burns and respiratory problems after a gas cloud hit villages with even greater force than the previous eruptions.

Almost 100 people are now said to have been killed.

An estimated 75,000 residents have been evacuated from the area.

Mount Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanoes, is located in a densely populated area in central Java.

The latest eruption began late on Thursday, sending residents streaming down the mountain with ash-covered faces.

Rescue workers said villages in the area were in flames. ...Many of the dead are believed to be children from Argomulyo village, 18km (11 miles) from the crater....

via BBC News - Dozens die in new Mount Merapi eruption in Indonesia.