Indonesian volcano Kelud set to erupt

"The volcano has not erupted yet," scientist Agus Budianto told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa by telephone from the site, adding however that volcanic tremors were continuing to increase and were "overscale".

The 1,731-metre volcano, located in the densely-populated province of East Java, entered an eruption phase at around 4pm (0900 GMT), state-run news agency Anatara earlier quoted vulcanologist Umar Rosadias saying.

The volcano may erupt "any time soon," according to Rosadi.

Tremors from inside the volcano's crater had sharply increased since 12 pm on Saturday, he said. No information was however given as to possible emission of volcanic material.

Additional media reports said that the volcano appear to have erupted, but that fog obscured its summit.

Officials in nearby Kediri district said police and military personnel aided hundreds of residents fleeing their homes on the slope areas.

Television footage aired by Metro TV showed dozens of panicked villagers evacuating the danger zone.

Located around 600 kilometres south-east of Jakarta, Mount Kelud was raised to the highest alert level on October 16, forcing authorities to evacuate thousands of residents.

Many however returned to their homes, claiming they were no longer able to stay in the makeshift tent accommodation provided.

In 1919, Mount Kelud experienced a powerful eruption that destroyed dozens of villages and killed at least 5,160 people. Kelud last erupted in 1990, killing over 30.

Indonesia has the highest density of volcanos in the world, with about 500 along the 4,800-kilometre archipelago. Nearly 130 are active and 65 - including Kelud - are listed as dangerous.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur