9 Photos of Indonesia’s Apocalyptic Volcanic Eruption

A monolithic eruption at Mount Semeru shake East Java , Indonesia , this weekend . The volcano started erupting Saturday , sending a thick cloud of ash tree risingmore than 40,000 feet(12,000 meters ) in the air .

At least 15 people are dead , 27 more are missing , and one C of people have been displaced from their homes as rescue and cleanup efforts are just getting underway . More than 1,700 people have also been evacuated to 19 shelters across the state , the Command Post for Emergency Response of Mount Semeru told the press this weekend . Around 3,000 houses and 38 schools have been ruin in the wake of the eruption , the emergency response authority said .

“ Thick pillar of ash tree have turned several villages to darkness , ” Thoriqul Haq , the district head of Lumajang , toldthe AP .

A man inspects a truck buried in the ash following the eruption of Mount Semeru.