Yogyakarta 5 November: 2010: Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyno has declared the ongoing volcanic eruptions on Mount Merapi a national disaster. All emergency services and local security forces dealing with this crisis will now be co-ordinated by the central government
This follows the most violent eruptions Thursday night since the volcano erupted on 26 October, killing more than 80 people and sending thousands fleeing towards Yogyakarta. A football stadium in the center of the city is now being set up as a central reception center for the displaced. By mid-morning some 5,000 people were already crowding the stadium seeking shelter, food, water and medical attention, being provided by local local authorities, soldiers, Red Cross and NGOs. One Red Cross volunteer stated that a further 5,000 people were expected to arrive in at the coming hours.  The European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) expert on site saw a steady stream of displaced arriving on motorbikes and on the back of trucks. Over 80,000 displaced are now reported seeking shelter in the four districts around the volcano.
Local TV stations broadcast dramatic pictures of aid workers, soldiers and journalists fleeing villages on  the mountain as massive explosions sent pyroclastic clouds rushing down the slopes of the volcano. Lava rocks ejected by the volcano were reportedly setting houses on fire more than 15km from the summit.
The city of Yogyakarta is now blanket by a smog of volcanic ash covering buildings, cars and streets with a fine powdery ash.
The airport has been closed.