Indonesia: Volcano erupts and releases poisonous  gas as thousands flee

Thousands of people have fled Indonesia’s Ile Lewotolok volcano area after it erupted and spewed smoke and poisonous gas into the atmosphere.

Authorities have warned people to avoid lava streams and poisonous gases.

Indonesia has the world’s most active volcanos.

Lewotolo volcano in the Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia erupted at 9:45 local time this morning that produced a dense dark ash plume, which rose  4000 meters above the summit. Soon after eruption, moderately strong ash rain of lapilli set in, as ballistic impacts of volcanic bombs and pyroclastic flows and lahars could affect an area of over 2miles from the main crater.

After eight years of calm the sleeping volcano, last erupted in January 2012.