Sixteen people were found dead in one area, and a baby died on the way to hospital, Yogyakarta Disaster and Mitigation Management Agency official Windu Wiryawan said.

Sixteen bodies have been found in one compound which was covered by ash, and one baby was also killed. Most of the victims' bodies have been severely burned and turned black, according to a local TV report.

Local authorities have ordered residents within 10 kilometers of the volcano to evacuate the area.

There are still over 40,000 people near the mountain, local officials said.

The previous eruption of Mount Merapi in 2006 killed two people. A 1994 eruption claimed 60 lives. In 1930, a major eruption killed more than 1,000 people.

Indonesia lies in a quake-prone zone called the Pacific Ring of Fire, and the country now has 129 active volcanoes.

*Indonesia's tsunami caused by earthquake in West Sumatra of Indonesia has killed at least 113 people with 502 people missing, officials said on October 26.

The tsunami hit two islands of Pagaiselatan Mentawai and Pagaiutara Mentawai in West Sumatra after the 7.2 magnitude quake which was reported by the USGS at 7.7 magnitude.

A report said the tsunami also destroyed one bridge and five houses.

Head of crisis center said that 80 percent of the houses at Betumonga village at Pagaiutara Mentawai island have been levelled. One tourist boat loaded with eight Australian citizens and 5 crew members has lost contact.