Indonesia volcano rescue hindered by debris, thick mud

Rescuers were searching for survivors Sunday on the slopes of the highest volcano on Indonesia’s island of Java after it was rocked by an eruption that killed at least 13 people, as smoldering debris and thick mud hampered their efforts.

Mount Semeru in Lumajang district in East Java province spewed thick columns of ash more than 12,000 metres into the sky, and searing gas and lava flowed down its slopes after a sudden eruption Saturday triggered by heavy rains.

Villages and nearby towns were blanketed with falling ash and several hamlets were buried under tonnes of mud from volcanic debris.

Authorities warned