A Volcano eruption in Indonesia started instant evacuation efforts. Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted eight times on Thursday, spewing a vast ash cloud. The ash plume reached 2,500 meters into the air, causing widespread panic among residents on the tourist island of Flores. Authorities raised the alert to the highest level for the 1,703-meter volcano, and they did not report any immediate casualties.
Authorities evacuated more than 5,800 people from the surrounding areas, and officials are considering permanent relocation for those living near the volcano. According to the country’s Center for Volcanology and Disaster Mitigation, the volcanic eruption also released a mixture of gas, rock, and lava up to one km from the crater,
Earlier eruptions on Monday and Tuesday killed at least ten people and forced authorities to establish a 7 km exclusion zone. Anastasia Adriyani, a resident, described it as the largest she has ever experienced. While working at a community kitchen for evacuees, she quickly fled in fear when the eruption occurred.
Many residents ran from their homes in nearby villages as they saw volcanic lightning, and more eruptions followed. Authorities advised people not to return to their homes until further notice, as further eruptions are expected. National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) chief Suharyanto stated that the government is considering permanent relocation as a long-term solution to prevent future harm. Lewotobi Laki-Laki is one of 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia’s “Ring of Fire.” This Volcano eruption in Indonesia was one of many, with a population of 280 million people, Indonesia frequently experiences seismic and volcanic activity.
