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Indonesia Volcano Eruption Claims 10 Lives, Sparks Fires in Nearby Villages

Written by Jerry Alomatu on November 4, 2024

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A deadly eruption occurred at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano on Indonesia’s Flores Island, killing at least 10 people as it launched fireballs, ash, and molten rocks onto nearby villages, Indonesian officials reported Monday.

The volcano’s activity prompted authorities to raise its alert status to the highest level, halting all activities within a seven-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius and forcing the evacuation of thousands.

The volcano, standing at 1,703 meters (5,587 feet), erupted multiple times overnight, beginning shortly before midnight and followed by subsequent eruptions at 1:27 a.m. and 2:48 a.m. local time, according to Indonesia’s volcanology agency. BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari confirmed the fatalities in a broadcast on Kompas TV.

Footage from the disaster zone shows villages blanketed in volcanic ash, with fires consuming some wooden homes. Authorities evacuated five villages surrounding the volcano, displacing thousands of residents.

Villages reported structural damage, with roofs collapsed under the weight of volcanic debris and molten rock leaving pockmarks across the land. The disaster mitigation agency also cautioned locals against rain-induced lava flows, advising residents to wear masks to protect against volcanic ash in the air.

This eruption follows a recent increase in Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki’s volcanic activity, with a major ash explosion last week that sent a 2,000-meter (6,500 feet) plume into the sky. The mountain’s volcanic activity in January had already resulted in evacuations and a high alert level that remained in place until now.

Indonesia’s position along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” makes it particularly prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The recent eruption echoes other recent tragedies in the archipelago, including the Mount Marapi eruption last December, which killed at least 24 climbers.

Heavy rains in May led to volcanic mudslides from Marapi, killing over 60 residents, and the eruption of Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi also displaced thousands earlier this year.

With Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki now at its highest alert level, officials continue to monitor the area closely, urging locals and tourists to avoid the hazard zone as they prioritize evacuations and relief efforts for affected communities.