Hospital officials say the death toll from Indonesia's most volatile volcano has climbed by two to 40.There were few details Thursday about the new casualties.
But Heru Nugroho, a spokesman at main hospital dealing with victims, says the deaths are not linked to two powerful eruptions at Mount Merapi on Wednesday and early Thursday. The two eruptions unleashed towering clouds of ash and spit out molten lava and debris.
After more than a week of continual explosions, and warnings that pressure inside the volcano may still be building, local officials say they are running out of money to help more than 70,000 people forced from their homes.( Jakarta.post> )
