GRNLive Foreign Correspondents Network

AFP: An Indonesian volcano unleashed its most violent eruption in 400 years Friday, sending a tower of ash into the sky but failing to budge a handful of stoic villagers who live on its slopes.Officials said it was the strongest eruption since 2,460-metre (8,100-foot) Mount Sinabung ended its long sleep on Sunday, and sparked panic among local residents.

"The volcano erupted at 4:38 am and lasted for 13 minutes, sending a column of ash as high as 3,000 metres into the air. This is the biggest eruption," government volcanologist Agus Budianto told AFP. He said there had been "intense magma movement" inside the volcano since Thursday evening. When the eruption finally came, it was felt eight kilometres (five miles) away.

GRN correspondent Michel Maas is available in Jakarta.