Volcano erupted again and Indonesia disaster toll hit 377 western islands

Green Business News – Oct. 30 - Indonesia's Mount Merapi erupted again and blasted vast plumes of ash into the sky, as the death toll from the initial eruption and a tsunami that hit remote western islands reached 377.

Officials said the death toll from a tsunami that hit the remote western Mentawai islands had reached at least 343.

More than 40,000 people had been evacuated from Merapi's slopes but many started to return after the volcano appeared to become calmer.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono got back to Indonesia after the twin disasters, he met the victims of the tsunami and earthquake. He issued instructions for all aid to continue to flow in without disruption.