Eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Claims 10 Lives as Alert Level Soars

A series of volcanic eruptions from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island, Indonesia, resulted in at least ten fatalities on Monday.

• Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,703-meter (5,587-foot) twin volcano on the popular tourist island of Flores, erupted just before midnight, prompting authorities to evacuate multiple villages

The eruptions occurred shortly after midnight on November 4, unleashing fireballs and ash that devastated nearby communities and destroyed homes.

Authorities have evacuated several villages as the eruptions prompted a significant response from disaster management agencies. Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia’s disaster response agency, confirmed that over 10,000 people have been affected by the eruptions, with ongoing assessments of the number of evacuees and potential casualties.

In light of the escalating volcanic activity, Indonesia’s volcanology agency has raised the alert level for Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki to the highest tier. The exclusion zone around the volcano has been expanded to a 7-kilometre radius, with warnings issued for residents regarding possible rain-triggered lava flows and the need to wear masks due to volcanic ash.

This eruption follows a series of significant volcanic activities in January, which had already led to the evacuations of thousands.

Indonesia’s geographical position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” makes it prone to frequent volcanic eruptions and seismic activity.

As rescue operations continue and more information becomes available, local authorities are working to ensure the safety and well-being of affected residents.