In pictures: Indonesian volcano Mount Sinabung erupts

A mother holds her child as Mount Sinabung spews ash and hot lava during an eruption in Perteguhan village in Karo district, Indonesia's north Sumatra province, 17 September, 2013.

The Mount Sinabung volcano in western Indonesia has erupted for the second time this week. Hot ash and lava forced some villagers who were just returning home to flee the area again.

A cloud of ash rises from the crater of the Mount Sinabung volcano (back L) during a fresh eruption on 17 September, 2013, as seen from Karo district.

The eruption spewed volcanic ash and thick smoke up to 3km (almost two miles) into the air, local disaster management officials confirmed.

Villagers covered in ash sit on a truck while waiting to be evacuated to safety, as Mount Sinabung spews ash and hot lava during an eruption in Perteguhan village in Karo district, Indonesia's north Sumatra province, 17 September, 2013.

More than 6,200 people were evacuated from their villages after a smaller eruption on Sunday.

Indonesian farmers rush to harvest crops in the district of Karo as an ash cloud rises during a fresh eruption of the Mount Sinabung volcano on 17 September, 2013.

A few farmers in the Karo district rush to save some of their crops from being covered by falling ash.

Indonesian youths watch as Mount Sinabung erupts in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Tuesday, 17 September, 2013.

Mount Sinabung towers 2,600 metres (8,530 feet) over North Sumatra province.

A villager walks under heavy ashfall after a fresh eruption of Mount Sinabung volcano covered Karo district and other areas on 17 September 2013.

Villagers displaced by the eruption have reported problems with overcrowding, sanitation and medical supplies.

A giant column of ash clouds rise from the crater of the Mount Sinabung volcano during a fresh eruption on 17 September, 2013, as seen from Karo district.

There are 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, a chain of islands on the Ring of Fire that encircles the Pacific Ocean.