Volcano erupts on Indonesian island hit by devastating Earthquake and Tsunami

A volcano erupted on the same Indonesian island that is recovering from a devastating tsunami that struck just days ago. Mount Soputan in Sulawesi spewed volcanic ash 6,000 metres into the sky on 3rd October 2018, Wednesday morning.

The volcano is at the northern end of Sulawesi island, hundreds of miles from where the tsunami struck at Palu, but it is feared the volcanic ash cloud could hamper efforts of rescuers to reach those stricken by the killer wave.

The volcano's eruption status was raised from an alert to standby 2.5 miles (4km) from the summit and up to four miles (6.5km) to the west-southwest. Standby status indicates people should avoid the area nearest the volcano and have masks available in case of ash fall. Planes have also been warned about the ash clouds.

As aid began trickling in, residents in one neighbourhood clapped, cheered and high-fived the arrival of a supply truck. The head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) office in Jakarta, Jan Gelfand said:

“The situation in the affected areas is nightmarish.”

Due to the earthquake and tsunami, more than 65,000 homes have been damaged and at least 60,000 people have been displaced; in need of dire emergency help. Moreover, the Indonesian archipelago has dozens of active volcanoes as it is on the Pacific Ring of Fire; accelerating such risks. Such natural disasters make one speculate about life and its unpredictability. Earthquakes remind us of the day of Judgement and about this the Quran says:

When the earth is shaken with its [final] earthquake. And the earth discharges its burdens. And man says, "What is [wrong] with it?" -That Day, it will report its news. Because your Lord has commanded it. That Day, the people will depart separated [into categories] to be shown [the result of] their deeds. So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it. ( Surah Zalzalah)