Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano spewed more deadly heat clouds as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited some of the 50,000 evacuees in shelters.
Searing gas billowed from the crater of the 2,914-metre (9616-foot) mountain in central Java as the president repeated scientists' warnings that further eruptions are likely over the coming weeks.
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Local residents leave a danger zone as Merapi volcano releases ash clouds in Balerante village, Klaten. |
"There will be more eruptions from Merapi, albeit small ones. If the conditions are safe you will be able to return to your homes," Yudhoyono told residents of a camp outside the 10-kilometre (six-mile) danger zone.
Thirty six people were killed in a major eruption last week and experts say the volcano remains extremely dangerous.
Yudhoyono asked evacuees to be patient and promised government assistance to rebuild their communities once the all-clear is given for their return.
The disaster-prone Indonesian archipelago has dozens of active volcanoes and straddles