Hundreds of people have been forced to abandon their homes due to an Indonesian volcano.

Mount Merapi erupted several times overnight, blasting gas, volcanic ash, and debris down its slopes for more than five kilometers. In parts of Indonesia’s highly populated Java Island, near the cultural center Yogyakarta, hot clouds and smoke blocked out the sky. According to the National Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency of Indonesia, avalanches of scorching clouds and ash forced 253 individuals to seek refuge. Nearly 130 active volcanoes may be found in this Southeast Asian archipelago nation. The volcano, which is one of the world’s most active, erupted several times overnight, releasing gas, volcanic ash, and debris that poured over five kilometers down its slopes, according to the chairman of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency.