Indonesia on high alert as Mount Semeru volcano erupts

Indonesia's Mount Semeru volcano erupted on Saturday, sending ash billowing into the sky and sparking evacuations on the country's main island, Java.

Authorities raised the volcano's warning status to the highest level, meaning its activity had escalated.

While no injuries have yet been reported, nearly 2,000 people were evacuated from the area around the volcano.

People have been urged to keep at least 8 km (5 miles) away, as "hot avalanches" of lava poured from Semeru.