At least six people have died after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano on Indonesia’s island of Flores, erupted multiple times overnight, officials confirmed on Monday. The disaster agency elevated the alert to the highest level on its four-tier system.
The volcano expelled ash and lava, showering the surrounding areas with fiery debris, which led to the evacuation of several villages. “Six fatalities have been confirmed,” said Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the disaster management agency, speaking to Kompas TV.
Footage from AFP depicted thick layers of ash blanketing nearby villages, with some zones visibly ablaze. An AFP reporter in the area reported that five villages had been evacuated.
Some homes, constructed of wood, caught fire, while molten rock created craters in the ground. The first eruption occurred just before midnight, followed by two more at 1:27 a.m. (1727 GMT Sunday) and 2:48 a.m.
Indonesia’s volcanology agency has advised residents and tourists to avoid areas within a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius of the crater, noting a “significant rise in volcanic activity” on Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki.
The agency warned of potential lava floods, especially if heavy rain falls, and urged locals to wear masks to protect against ash inhalation.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has previously erupted in January, causing authorities to raise the alert level and evacuate at least 2,000 people. As part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” Indonesia frequently experiences volcanic eruptions.
In December, Mount Marapi in West Sumatra erupted, killing 24 climbers, many of whom were students. In May, severe rains triggered deadly lava flows from Marapi, while eruptions from Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi forced thousands to evacuate nearby islands.
