Indonesian volcano erupts again, forcing evacuations

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

Indonesia's Sinabung volcano continued to spew clouds of hot gas on Wednesday (January 8).

The frequent eruptions have triggered a wave of evacuees with tens of thousands displaced from their homes.

More than 22,000 people have fled and are being housed in 33 temporary shelters, the National Disaster Management Agency said.

The people from about 25 villages that surround the volcano have been evacuated to the shelters. Many are reliant on soup kitchens for food.

The 2,460 meter-high volcano in north Sumatra province has been active since 2010 after lying dormant for four centuries and it began erupting periodically in September last year.

Sinabung is one of nearly 130 active volcanoes in the world's fourth most populated country, which straddles the "Pacific Ring of Fire."