Indonesia Volcano Erupts, 200K Evacuate
12-31-1969
A powerful volcanic eruption killed two people in Indonesia Friday and forced up to 200,000 people to evacuate from their homes.
The Mount Kelud eruption blasted ash and debris 12 miles into the air in Java, Indonesia's most populated island.
The blast was heard up to 125 miles away.
"The eruption sounded like thousands of bombs exploding," Ratno Pramono, a 35-year-old farmer, recalled. "I thought doomsday was upon us. Women and children were screaming and crying."
Local media reported two people died when parts of their homes collapsed on top of them.
A massive ash cloud forced the closure of several international airports, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
