Indonesia president vows to rebuild after volcano eruption as death toll rises to 34

More fatalities expected as search for survivors continues following eruption at Mount Semeru on Saturday

Indonesia's president has visited areas devastated by a powerful volcanic eruption that killed at least 34 people and left thousands homeless, and vowed that communities would be quickly rebuilt.

Clouds of hot ash shot high into the sky and an avalanche of lava and searing gas swept as far as 11 kilometers (7 miles) down Mount Semeru's slopes in a sudden eruption Saturday triggered by heavy rain. Villages and towns were blanketed by tons of volcanic debris.