Thousands flee as Sumatra volcano erupts

A LONG-dormant Indonesian volcano has erupted for the second day in a row, spewing out towering clouds of ash and forcing the evacuation of more than 21,000 people.

Reports said 2 people had died, while thousands had been forced to flee their homes after Mount Sinabung in northern Sumatra spewed a vast cloud of smoke and ash high into the air. Airlines were warned to avoid the remote mountain as it erupted for a second day after springing to life for the first time in four centuries.

CNN reported on its site that 2 people had died.

"The 2 people died because of heart attack and respiratory complication," said Priyadi Kardono of the National Disaster Co-ordination Agency, according to CNN.

"We have sent food and gas masks for the rest of the displaced people."

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