Just days after Indonesian officials told residents near Mount Sinabung was beginning to weaken in volcanic activity, a major eruption has left at least 15 people dead.

Fourteen of the dead are people who were on the side of the mountain when it erupted and died when a rush of hot gas burned them alive.  At least four of the dead are high school students who went to the mountain on a field trip with their teacher who also died.

Witnesses say ash at least a foot thick has blanketed miles around the mountain and that rescuers have said it’s unlikely that anyone will be found alive.  Sukameriah village, about two miles from the volcano crater, has been wiped from the face of the Earth.

“There’s no signs of human life,” a witness told AFP News Agency.  “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 that nearly reached my calves.”

Rescue efforts have been suspended at the recommendation of volcanologists.  Searchers at the site had reported volcanic tremors and thick smog.