Minister`s plane hampered by Mt Sinabang`s volcanic ashes

Antara News, Sunday, August 29, 2010 20:47 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The airplane expected to fly Chief Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono could not make its flight due to thick volcanic ashes of Mount Sinabang which erupted in Tanah Karo district, North Sumatra, at 0.15 early on Sunday.

"I am still at Pinang Suri airport, South Tapanuli because my plane could not be flown due to thick volcanic ashes," the coordinating minister for people`s welfare said when contacted by ANTARA on the phone here on Sunday.

Agung explained he was in North Sumatra as part of his Ramadan Safari in his capacity as people`s welfare coordinating minister.

"I am here on a Ramadan safari in Sibolga, North Sumatra, and it happened by chance that Mt Sinabang erupted. Because I am still in North Sumatra, I decided to inspect the eruption location," he said.

He said that in order to inspect the eruption site in Tanah Karo, he should change his flight direction and fly from South Tapanuli to Medan.

"But the Susi Air which would fly me to Medan at 12.00 hours could not conduct a flight due to volcanic clouds of the eruption," he said.

As an alternative, he said, he should take another flight that would transit at Pinang Suri airport (South Tapanuli) on its flight from Nias to Medan.

"If it is impossible for us to use an airplane we will take a land transportation," he said.

Mount Sinabang in North Sumatra`s district of Tanah Karo erupted at 0.15 early on Sunday.

About 12 thousand local residents around the mount valleys have been evacuated to safer places. One resident was reported dead during the evacuation due to a breathing problem.