At least 10 people were killed overnight as Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano in eastern Indonesia, erupted, hurling fireballs and ash over nearby villages. The eruption, which occurred on Flores Island, forced the evacuation of several communities as authorities raised the alert to the highest level.
The country’s disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) confirmed the fatalities, with spokesman Abdul Muhari reporting to Kompas TV. Visuals from the scene showed villages blanketed in thick ash and scattered fires, with some homes and the ground marred by craters caused by molten rocks.
According to an AFP journalist at the site, five villages have been evacuated, affecting thousands of residents. The volcano, a 1,703-meter (5,587-foot) twin-peak formation, erupted multiple times overnight, with further eruptions recorded at 1:27 a.m. and 2:48 a.m. local time. Authorities have issued a seven-kilometer (4.3-mile) exclusion zone around the volcano, warning locals and tourists to avoid the area.
The volcanology agency has described the situation as a “significant increase in volcanic activity,” releasing images showing roofs damaged by volcanic rocks and residents seeking shelter in communal buildings. Officials also warned of potential rain-induced lava flows and advised residents to wear masks against ash inhalation.
This eruption follows a series of smaller eruptions at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki last week, including one on Thursday that sent ash 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) into the atmosphere. January saw similar activity, which led to the evacuation of at least 2,000 people.
Indonesia, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is no stranger to volcanic activity. Last December, Mount Marapi in West Sumatra erupted, claiming the lives of 24 climbers, mostly students. Heavy rainfall in May then led to volcanic material flowing into residential areas, leaving more than 60 dead. In the same month, Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi erupted multiple times, resulting in mass evacuations.
As Indonesia continues to grapple with the effects of these geological events, authorities remain on high alert, monitoring the ongoing activity at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki and other active sites.
