Days earlier, the remote peninsula was struck by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake. Local administration issued an ‘orange’ aviation hazard warning after the 1,856-metre-tall volcano erupted.
The airline said the aircraft was advised to return ‘in the interest of safety’, and it is offering hotel stays, full refunds, or free rescheduling for affected passengers.
One of Kamchatka's largest and most active volcanoes, Shiveluch has had an estimated 60 substantial eruptions in the past 10,000 years, the last major one being in 2007.
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