Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupted three times between late Thursday and early Friday, sending ash clouds soaring up to 8,000 meters into the sky and prompting an expansion of the danger zone in the surrounding region. The eruptions occurred on the remote island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, an area that has experienced heightened seismic activity in recent days. Authorities have raised the eruption alert status to the highest level and extended the exclusion radius around the crater from 7 to 8 kilometers. No new evacuations have been reported, though monitoring continues.
According to data from the observation post in Wulangitang, seismic activity showed signs of decline following the early-morning eruptions. The volcano remained quiet throughout the day on Friday, but officials warned that the risk of further eruptions persists. In response to the volcanic activity, several airlines have cancelled flights between Australia and Indonesia’s tourist hub of Bali. Other international and domestic routes have also been delayed, raising concerns over potential travel disruptions during the ongoing monitoring phase.
The recent activity marks a continuation of volcanic unrest at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, which has seen hundreds of earthquakes and increased surface activity over the past week. The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has been closely observing the site to track any developments. Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki last erupted in November 2023, an event that resulted in nine fatalities and left dozens injured.
That eruption led to significant displacement and prompted emergency response efforts in the surrounding communities. Indonesia, situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is home to over 120 active volcanoes. Authorities continue to urge residents and travelers to remain cautious and adhere to all safety guidelines issued by local disaster management agencies. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.