Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, causing fatalities and prompting a state of emergency as lava and rocks devastated surrounding villages. Evacuations are underway as officials issue warnings for potential flash floods and further volcanic activity.
Indonesia Volcano Eruption Claims Lives and Displaces Thousands
Indonesia Volcano Eruption Claims Lives and Displaces Thousands
A volcanic eruption on Flores Island has resulted in at least ten fatalities and widespread destruction as local authorities scramble to evacuate affected residents.
At least 10 people have tragically lost their lives following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in eastern Indonesia early Monday. The volcanic event occurred at 23:57 local time, according to the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMG), with the eruption severely impacting the nearby Flores Island in the East Nusa Tenggara province.
PVMG spokesperson Hadi Wijaya reported that fiery lava and a torrential downpour of volcanic rocks affected villages located approximately 4 kilometers (or about 2 miles) from the volcano's crater. The destruction has inflicted significant damage on residential areas, burning homes and displacing residents throughout seven affected villages.
In response to the disaster, PVMG has escalated the volcano’s status to the highest alert level, mandating the evacuation of individuals living within a 7-kilometer (4-mile) radius of the site. Local official Heronimus Lamawuran confirmed that evacuation efforts began promptly in the morning, relocating individuals to villages situated around 20 kilometers (13 miles) from the crater.
Eyewitness video footage, shared with BBC News, has depicted the stark reality of the eruption, showcasing individuals covered in ash and the smoldering remains of their homes. Amid these alarming developments, a spokesperson from Indonesia's disaster agency has cautioned against the potential for flash floods and cold lava flows in the forthcoming days.
The regional government has declared a state of emergency valid for the next 58 days, facilitating the central government’s ability to provide essential aid to an estimated 10,000 residents who have been affected by the volcanic activity. While Indonesia consistently faces seismic challenges due to its position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” this incident underscores the nation’s ongoing struggle with volcanic eruptions.
Just months prior, in May, Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island similarly prompted evacuations of seven nearby villages, illustrating the continuing threat posed by geological instability throughout the region.
