A deadly overnight eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on the Indonesian island of Flores claimed at least six lives as it spewed fireballs and ash onto nearby villages. Authorities raised the volcano’s alert level to its highest as the eruption, which began just before midnight, prompted evacuations of surrounding villages.
The eruption’s intense activity saw volcanic ash cover villages, with some houses catching fire due to flying molten rocks. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) confirmed the fatalities and reported evacuations affecting thousands. Officials have restricted access within a seven-kilometer radius around the volcano and advised residents and tourists to avoid the area due to ongoing volcanic hazards and potential rain-induced lava floods.
Indonesia, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences eruptions due to its tectonic setting. This latest eruption follows recent volcanic activity across the country, which has seen multiple communities impacted by eruptions and ash flows.
