Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies on Sunday after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted,killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an owner less mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag.
Dark, searing clouds engulfed victims during the eruption on Saturday, leaving rescuers with little hope of finding survivors as they searched through ash up to 30 cm thick.
"We didn't find bodies but we picked up a bag belonging to one of the victims. The cellphone was ringing," he added.
Officials said about 170 people armed with chainsaws and oxygen apparatus spread out through the destruction in Sukameriah village, just 2.7 km from Sinabung's crater, on Sunday before the search was called off.
"There's no sign of human life. All the crops were gone. Many houses were damaged and those still standing were covered in thick white ash. It was hard to walk in ash which nearly reached my calves," Gito, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP.