Indonesia volcanic eruption in pictures
A villager runs as Mount Sinabung erupts at Sigarang-Garang village in Karo district, Indonesia's North Sumatra province Reuters

A violent volcanic eruption has claimed the lives of at least 14 people in Indonesia.

Mount Sinabung, which lies on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, spewed hot, rocks and gas 1.5 miles into the air during a morning explosion on Saturday that echoed across the island.

The volcano had been dormant for more than 400 years up until 2010, when an eruption killed at least three people and displaced a further 30,000.

Mount Sinabung killed at least 14 people over the weekend when it erupted, with the death toll expected to rise.

Locals had since returned to their homes and had grown used to the rumbling and belching of Sinabung over past five months.

Experts considered it unpredictable as it had not been studied as much as more active volcanoes.

Local officials fear the death toll might rise as they had so far been unable to get closer because of the heat being emitted.

Volcano