JAKARTA, 16 July 2007 - Thousands of people who fled from a volcano on the eastern island of Halmahera are being advised to start returning to their homes after the activity of the volcano cooled down, told an official earlier today. The alert status was raised to the highest just last week after the Mount Gamkonora volcano started shooting out towering columns of ash and smoke, which sparked concerns of a major eruption.

About 12,000 people fled the area to shelters in temporary camps or stayed with relatives in safer locations. Saut Simatupang, head of the volcanology survey in Indonesia, said that the alert level was lowered one step today after the volcano showed signs of decreasing activity. "Under the alert current level we advise people to return to their homes," Simatupang told. "Those who live in a radius of 6 kilometers are advised to stay in temporary shelters but they can return to their homes during the day," he said.

  08 January 2009 · Papua earthquakes drive thousands into tent camps
  08 January 2009 · Central bank cuts rate by 50 basis point to 8.75%
  07 January 2009 · FPI holds warfare training and recruitment session for Gaza
  06 January 2009 · No embassy in Bandung, demonstration at German cultural institute
  06 January 2009 · One liter of petrol for 50.000 Rupiah in West Timor
  05 January 2009 · Two more aftershocks hit Manokwari
  04 January 2009 · Manokwari airport closed after quakes
  04 January 2009 · 7.8 magnitude quake hits near Manokwari, 25 aftershocks reported
  03 January 2009 · Indonesia to launch stimulus to boost economy
  02 January 2009 · President: 'Indonesia supports Palestinian people's struggle'