Indonesian volcano, Mount Sinabung erupted today for the first time since 2010, spewing ash into the air and prompting nearby residents to leave the area.

The National Meteorological Bureau urged villagers to evacuate a three kilometer radius around the volcano after Sinabung erupted at 3am local time (8pmGMT yesterday).

The local government provided shelter for thousands of people who left their homes.

More than 3,700 villagers were evacuated from largely farming areas, the National Disaster Relief Agency said. Many farmers choose to live by volcanoes despite the associated risks because of the fertile soil and high rainfall

The 2,460 metre high mountain had been inactive for four centuries before erupting in August 2010.

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