Indonesians living in coastal areas near the volcanic island of Anak Krakatau have been told to stay away from the ocean amid fears of another tsunami.
A tsunami triggered by an underwater landslide from eruptions at Anak Krakatau on Saturday night (local time) has killed at least 222 people and injured hundreds on the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra.
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Now authorities say the volcano is erupting again, sparking fears of a fresh tsunami.
Aerial footage shows smoke and ash billowing from the volcano, located in the Sunda Strait, between Sumatra and Java.
Head of the National Disaster Management Agency, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, told media that people in the area should stay away from the sea.
"Recommendations from [the] Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency are that people should not carry out activities on the beach and stay away from the coast for a while," he said.
"The potential for a fresh tsunami is still possible because the volcanic eruption of Anak Krakatau continues to occur, potentially triggering tsunami."
Coastal residents reported not seeing or feeling any warning signs before Saturday's tsunami, such as receding water or an earthquake, before waves of 2-3 metres washed ashore.
Authorities said a warning siren went off in some areas.
The timing of the tsunami, over the Christmas holiday season, has evoked memories of the Indian Ocean tsunami triggered by an earthquake on December 26 in 2004, which killed 226,000 people in 14 countries.
Newshub.
