Evacuations in Banda Api / Moluccas.

The VSI increased the alert level of Banda Api in the Moluccas archipelago at Waspada on April 5, 2017, following an increase in seismicity, with a 1 km red zone around the crater.
On April 4, a marked increase in earthquakes due to rock fracturation due to magma movements was recorded ... the sequence recalls the early stages of the May 1988 eruption.

According to Xinhua, the Indonesian authorities are preparing to evacuate nearly 1,000 people living in this dangerous area, due to a possible eruption and toxic gas emanations.

Banda Api Volcano-Island is the northerly volcano of the Sunda-Banda volcanic arc. This basaltic to rhyodacitic volcano is located in the southwest corner of a large caldera of 7 km wide, largely submerged.

Historical eruptions have been recorded since 1586, mostly strombolian and located at the top crater, but larger eruptions have also occurred with lava flows reaching the coast.
The last eruption, of VEI 3, dates back to May 1988 (from 9 to 17.05.1988). It concerned the summit and the north and south flanks, and caused three deaths and the evacuation of 700 inhabitants.

Sources:
- Xinhuanet - Nearly 1,000 to be evacuated as volcano seismic activity rises in E.Indonesia - 06.04.2017 / 18h44 - link
- Global volcanism Program - Banda Api - link