Four people were killed today when a volcano on the Indonesian island of Sumatra spewed lava and hot gas, a spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Agency said.

The activity was the latest from Mount Sinabung, which has been erupting in North Sumatra’s Karo district since September, Sutopo Nugroho said. More than 30,000 people have had to leave their homes.

Today’s eruption came a day after more than 13,000 residents\ returned to their homes near the volcano after a lull in activity.

- dpa