Thousands of Indonesians fled their homes after Mount Lokon, one of the country's most active volcano, erupted Friday.

Mount Lokon began spitting lava and smoke around 10:46 p.m., disaster management officials have said. The first eruption was followed by a second after midnight and third shortly after 1 p.m., according to TIME.

The volcano has been on alert since Sunday. It last erupted in 1991.

Indonesia transport ministry has also warned planes not to avoid routes near the volcano, which is located in northern Sulawesi province.

The more than 6,000 people who fled from the eruptions are now being housed in temporary shelters such as schools and. Some 27,000 people who live nearby maybe evacuated later, authorities have said.

Indonesia, which has more than 17,000 islands, has a population of about 238 million. It's location along the Pacific Ring of Fire makes Indonesia a site of multiple volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. The country has more than 100 active volcanoes.

Central Indonesian Volcano Erupts Spewing Hot Lava, Thousands Flee.
Mount Lokon spews hot lava and volcanic ash during an eruption in Tomohon in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province. Reuters.
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