Tourists told to stay away from Krakatau

Authorities in Indonesia have warned tourists to steer clear of Mount Anak Krakatau, due to increased volcanic activity.

The Antara news agency reported the head of the volcano’s observation station as saying that Krakatau, which was formerly known as Krakatoa, has been rumbling into life in recent weeks.

“In the past week, three to four volcanic activities have been reported per day, and yesterday there were two shallow volcanic activities and a deep tremor. Hence, the fishermen and tourists are warned to stay away,” station head Abdi Suardi was quoted saying on Friday 13 January.

The volcano remains on alert status and people have been advised not to venture within a 1km radius of the peak, which lies in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra.

The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa was among the most violent volcanic events ever recorded. The blast is reported to have been heard more than 4,000km away and the subsequent tsunamis killed at least 36,000 people.