Jakarta, Dec. 6: Indonesia has closed a domestic airport following Mount Gamalama erupted and spewed lava and ash 2, 000 meters high in the air in eastern Indonesia, forcing thousands of residents to flee, said Bambang Evan , an official of transport ministry.

Evan said, "It's a safety measure. The volcanic ash may pose a risk to planes. If there is no more eruption, the airport may be opened tomorrow."

Darno Lamane, a scientist was monitoring the peak and told AFP that the volcano has created panic when the eruption occurred.

Lamane quoted, "It shot ash and dust particles 2,000 metres into the sky. There were no reports of casualties or injuries but people did panicked for a while, screaming as they ran out of their homes."

He also added that the situation is better and several residents have back to their home, and we are continuously monitoring the activity of volcano. The volcano was last erupted in the year 2003, but there was no record of fatalities.