A series of volcanic eruptions on the island of Flores in eastern Indonesia have left at least 10 people dead, according to the National Disaster Management Agency. The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki around midnight sent thick ash clouds as high as 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) into the sky, with hot ash hitting several villages and destroying homes, including a convent of Catholic nuns.
Volcanic debris was ejected up to 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the crater, covering nearby areas and forcing thousands of residents to flee. Authorities are still searching for victims buried under collapsed structures. So far, all the bodies have been found within a 4-kilometer (2.4-mile) radius of the volcano.
The eruption has affected over 10,000 people across multiple villages. Many have sought refuge in relatives’ homes, while temporary shelters are being set up. The volcano’s alert level has been raised to the highest, with the exclusion zone now extended to 7 kilometers (4.3 miles).
A nun was killed in Hokeng village, and another is missing. Rescue operations are underway as the scale of the destruction becomes evident, with photos showing villages blanketed in volcanic ash.
Lewotobi Laki Laki, one of two nearby stratovolcanoes, has been active for months. Earlier eruptions in January forced evacuations, though no major damage occurred at that time. The current eruption is stronger, attributed to a buildup of pressure due to blocked magma.
This eruption follows another volcanic event in West Sumatra, where Mount Marapi erupted in late October without causing casualties. Indonesia, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, regularly faces volcanic and seismic activity due to its position along major fault lines.
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