Mount Sinabung in north Sumatera, Indonesia erupted early this morning, spewing clouds of grey smoke and ash 5,000m into the sky.

According to statement from Indonesia's Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), the eruption occurred at 10.16am (western Indonesian time), with the smoke moving in an east-southeast direction.

The 2,451m volcano has not erupted since 1600 but became active again in 2010 and was put under alert level 3. It last erupted in February 2018.

"The local community and visitors have been asked to refrain from holding activities within a 5km radius of the summit," the statement said.

-- BERNAMA