An Indonesian volcano erupts, claiming at least 10 lives, officials confirmed. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, located on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted at 23:57 local time on Monday.
Fiery lava and rocks rained down on villages about 4k from the crater, burning and damaging homes. The eruption affected seven villages, with fires breaking out in residential areas due to incandescent material ejected from the volcano.
Hadi Wijaya, a spokesperson for the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, issued a warning, raising the volcano’s status to its highest alert level. He further ordered the immediate evacuation of all areas within a 7 km radius of the crater.
Local officials have started evacuating residents to safer villages about 20 km away. Heronimus Lamawuran confirmed that the evacuation process began early in the morning.
Eye witness footage shows people covered in volcanic ash, rock showers, and homes ablaze. The aftermath reveals scorched landscapes and destruction. Residents are seen fleeing, their faces and clothes covered in ash.
Indonesia’s disaster agency warns of potential flash floods and cold lava flows in the coming days. A state of emergency has been declared for the next 58 days, enabling the central government to provide aid to the 10,000 affected residents.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has been erupting intermittently since December, with warnings in place to stay over 3km away. The prolonged volcanic activity has severely impacted the local economy, displacing hundreds and ruining cashew nut crops.
Indonesia, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is home around 130 active volcanoes. Many communities live near these volcanoes, cultivating the fertile soil they provide. As the situation unfolds, the Indonesian volcano erupts, leaving devastation and displacement in its wake.
