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In PHOTOS: When Indonesia's Fire Mountain erupted

Last updated on: October 28, 2010 14:32 IST

Image: A view of the Mount Merapi volcano emitting smoke is seen during sunrise from Cangkringan village in the district of Sleman
Photographs: Dwi Oblo/Reuters

Indonesia's 'Fire Mountain' has erupted once again. Most of the Mount Merapi volcano's 30 victims died of burns or suffocation as searing ash and clouds of heated gas spewed out of the crater around Tuesday evening. Many were found huddled together in their homes.

In several areas, everything, from the thinnest tree branch to couches and chairs inside homes, was caked with ash that looked like powdery snow.

Mount Merapi, which translates as 'Fire Mountain', erupted many times over the last 200 years, often with deadly results. In 1994, 60 people were killed, while in 1930, more than a dozen villages were incinerated, leaving up to 1,300 dead.

Some 19,000 residents have been evacuated from the danger zone of 10 kilometres from the crater of the 2,914-metre (9,616-foot) mountain.

Click on NEXT to see the devastation caused by the eruption...

Photographs: Dwi Oblo/Reuters

A villager stands in front of Mount Merapi, near his motorcycle covered by ash at Kaliadem village in Sleman

Photographs: Beawiharta/Reuters

Volunteers carry the body of a victim of the Mount Merapi eruption at Kinarrejo village in Sleman, near the ancient city of Yogyakarta

Photographs: Dwi Oblo/Reuters

A damaged car covered by ash is pictured front of Mbah Marijan house at Kinahrejo village in Sleman. Mbah Marijan, who is the guardian of Mount Merapi, was one of the victims of the eruption. He was found dead in his house, according to local media reports

Photographs: Beawiharta/Reuters

An ash-covered living room is seen at Kinarrejo village in Sleman

Photographs: Dwi Oblo/Reuters

Villagers sit in a truck as they are evacuated from their village to Girikerto village in Sleman

Photographs: Dwi Oblo/Reuters

A motorcycle covered in ash lies near a damaged house at Kaliadem village in Sleman

Photographs: Beawiharta/Reuters

A stove is covered in ash from the eruption of Mount Merapi at Kinahrejo village in Sleman

Photographs: Beawiharta/Reuters

A bowl of noodles and a glass are covered by ash on a table at Mbah Marijan's house at Kinarrejo village in Sleman, near the ancient city of Yogyakarta, October 27. Mbah Marijan, who is the guardian of Mount Merapi, was one of the victims of the eruption. He was found dead in his house, according to local media reports