Papua New Guinea Volcanic Eruptions Force 15,000 From Their Homes

Volcanic eruptions in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have forced 15,000 villagers in the country’s northeast to flee their homes.

Ash billows from Mount Ulawun during a volcanic eruption, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea on June 26, 2019. Eroli Tamara via Reuters

SYDNEY—Volcanic eruptions in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have forced 15,000 villagers in the country’s northeast to flee their homes, aid agencies said on Sunday.

Mount Ulawun on PNG’s northeastern island of New Britain exploded suddenly on Wednesday, shooting an ash column 11.18 miles (18 km) into the air, while nearby Manam erupted on Friday, sending dangerous pyroclastic flows down its slopes.