A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted overnight, resulting in at least 10 fatalities as it ejected fireballs and ash over nearby villages. Authorities have raised the alert level to its maximum.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a twin volcano standing at 1,703 meters (5,587 feet) on the tourist island of Flores, erupted just before midnight, leading to the evacuation of several villages. Residents reported their shock as flaming rocks were hurled at their homes.
“I was asleep when the bed shook violently,” recounted Hermanus Mite, a 32-year-old hairdresser. “I realized the volcano had erupted and ran outside. There were flames everywhere, and my salon caught fire, destroying everything inside.”
Abdul Muhari, a spokesman for the national disaster mitigation agency (BNPB), confirmed the death toll at a press briefing and noted that over 10,000 individuals had been affected. While the number of evacuees is still being assessed, there have been no reports of missing persons.
An AFP journalist near the site observed that five villages had been evacuated, displacing thousands. Buildings nearby were covered in thick ash, and some collapsed due to falling debris, with smoldering rubble still evident hours after the eruption.
The volcano erupted again at 1:27 AM and 2:48 AM, according to the country’s volcanology agency, which has advised locals and tourists to avoid activities within a seven-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius of the crater. Images released show collapsed roofs and locals seeking refuge in communal shelters.
Villagers reported that the initial eruption went unnoticed due to thunder and lightning, causing panic as people evacuated without knowing what to take. The fatalities included a baby and a young nun, according to village head Petrus Muda Turan.
Abdul from the disaster agency announced that Maumere Airport, the second-largest town on Flores, had been temporarily closed, and a desk had been set up for locals to report missing family members. Although heavy ash and mud from rain initially hindered search operations, conditions improved later in the day.
Last week, the volcano had multiple tremors and eruptions, sending ash columns between 500 and 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) into the sky. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, whose name means “man” in Indonesian, is paired with a quieter volcano named for “woman.”
The mountain previously erupted significantly in January, prompting the evacuation of over 2,000 residents. Indonesia frequently experiences volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area known for intense seismic activity. In recent incidents, eruptions have caused numerous fatalities and widespread destruction across the archipelago.
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