Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcano Erupts; 10 Casualties Reported

A volcanic eruption in eastern Indonesia killed 10 people. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted around midnight on Sunday and local authorities were forced to evacuate several villages. Locals and tourists have been asked not to carry out any activities within a 7km radius of the crater. Read on to learn more about the eruption.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts In Indonesia, 10 Killed

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province in Indonesia, erupted on Sunday and killed at least 10 people in the area. According to NDTV, the volcano erupted at 11:57 PM (local time), then at 1:27 AM, and again at 2:48 AM. By 6 AM on Monday, the smoke column rising from the volcano stood at 300 metres!

🌋🇮🇩 Terrible situation in the southeast of Flores Island, Indonesia. The Lewotobi (Lakilaki) volcano erupted and launched powerful bombs of pyroclastic and volcanic ash towards nearby villages. Several houses caught fire and an intense rain of ash and gravel has forced residents… pic.twitter.com/HIUO8pi02T

— Weather monitor (@Weathermonitors) November 3, 2024

According to The Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), fiery-red lava, volcanic ash, and incandescent rocks belched out of the volcano during the eruption. Reportedly, shortly after the first eruption, there was a power outage in the area. This was followed by heavy rain and lightning, which ended up panicking the locals.

This volcanic eruption in Indonesia caused damage to seven villages. It affected 10,000 people in the region as they were forced to evacuate the area after the eruption.

Also Read: Iceland’s Blue Lagoon Is Back, Reopens For Tourists As Volcano Activity Lessens

State Emergency Declared In The Region

Reportedly, authorities in Indonesia updated the status of the volcano to level IV or the highest. They have declared a state of emergency for the next 58 days in the region. The government will provide aid to the 10,000 affected residents during this period. Also, the nearest airport to the site of the eruption, located in the town of Maumere, had been temporarily shut down.

🚨🇮🇩INDONESIA VOLCANO ERUPTION: 8 KILLED

Mount Lewotobi in East Flores, Indonesia, erupted, claiming 8 lives. Volcanic debris rained down on Wulanggitang District. Emergency services are responding to assess damage and aid affected communities. pic.twitter.com/ZFEHteinfx

— Weather monitor (@Weathermonitors) November 4, 2024

Volcanic eruptions are quite frequent in Indonesia. The country is quite prone to intense volcanic and seismic activity due to its geographical position on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’. In December 2023, an eruption at Mount Merapi in West Sumatra ended up killing 24 climbers.

Also Read: Kanlaon Volcano Eruption: Over 300 Villages Evacuate After Region In Philippines Was Rocked By 337 Volcanic Quakes In 24 Hrs

We hope the situation in Indonesia improves soon and no more casualties are reported due to the volcanic eruption.

Cover Image Courtesy: X/@SprinterFamily & Canva (representative image)