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This photo of an 8-year-old girl evacuating her home shows the true terror of living in the shadow of Indonesia's Mount Sinabung volcano

Jul 2, 2015, 03:27 IST

After more than a century of lying dormant, Indonesia's Mount Sinabung volcano has awakened.

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Located in the Karo Regency of North Sumatra, the volcano began showing signs of life in 2010 and has erupted several times since. On June 2, it began hurling rocks and hot ash into the sky, engulfing entire towns in smog.

More than 10,000 residents have evacuated the area in search of safety - including 8-year-old Ramadinah Milala.

Reuters photographer Beawiharta recently spent time with Milala's family in the Kuta Tengah village, which lies in the shadow of the volcano. The photos are heartbreaking.

Ramadinah Milala, 8, and her family drive away from their home, as ash spews from Mount Sinabung volcano at Tiga Serangkai village in Karo Regency, North Sumatra province, Indonesia in this June 24, 2015 file photo.Reuters/Beawiharta

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Milala, her brother, mother, and 60-year-old grandmother fled the family's home in June, leaving behind everything including their cow and pet cat, according to Beawiharta. They entered a temporary camp set up as a refuge for those displaced by the volcano's eruption at Simpang Empat, about 15 kilometers away.

Beawiharta caught up with the family as they returned to their village in search of work in the aubergine fields.

"If I don't have money, I go to pick vegetables and sell them at the market, said mother Nurheni Ginting. "I need money to pay for school, for food, for transporation."

Ramadinah Milala, 8, (C) poses with neighbours as Mont Sinabung volcano erupts with ash and smoke behind them, at Kuta Tengah village, Karo Regency, North Sumatra province, Indonesia June 26, 2015.Reuters/Beawiharta

At the camp, "you have to sleep in a big hall full of people," Ginting said. "Someone is always talking and occasionally there are arguments. At times there's noisy music playing. It's impossible to sleep well."

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So while the family was home, they took advantage. Below, Milala is seen with neighborhood children watching television.

Ramadinah Milala (C), 8, watches television at home with friends at Kuta Tengah village, Karo Regency, North Sumatra province, Indonesia June 26, 2015.Reuters/Beawiharta

The family intended to return to the camp that evening, but around 3:30 p.m., a familiar rumbling sound descended from the mountain.

Ramadinah Milala (C), 8, watches television at home with a friend at Kuta Tengah village, Karo Regency, North Sumatra province, Indonesia June 26, 2015.Reuters/Beawiharta

They leapt back into the car and sped off, in awe of the devastating danger so close to home.

"As we drove away Ramadinah just sat looking out of the window," her mother said. "She was quiet and wasn't talking."

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