People use plastic bags to cover their heads from ash and volcanic materials spewed by Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on Aug. 2, 2017. (Xinhua/YT Haryono)

JAKARTA, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Mount Sinabung volcano in North Sumatra province of western Indonesia erupted on Wednesday, spewing a column of ash by up to 4.2 km to the sky, national disaster management agency reported.

The volcano located in Karo district erupted 17 times from 08:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (local time) with hot ash spreading 4.5 km to the southeast and east of the crater, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the agency said.

Thousands of people were affected by the ash, but it did not trigger evacuation, Sutopo told Xinhua in a text message.

Meteorology and geophysics agency has declared a 7 km dangerous zone from the crater, according to him.

Residents are advised to remain alert, said Sutopo.

The 2,400-meter-high Mount Sinabung is one of Indonesia's 129 active volcanoes.

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People take cover from volcanic ash spewed by Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on Aug. 2, 2017. (Xinhua/YT Haryono)

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The front glass of a bus is partly covered by volcanic ash spewed by Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on Aug. 2, 2017. (Xinhua/YT Haryono)

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A man rides his motorbike in front of volcanic materials spewed by Mount Sinabung in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on Aug. 2, 2017. (Xinhua/YT Haryono)

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