Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia Causes Evacuations and Flight Cancellations
Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted in Indonesia, prompting evacuations and widespread flight cancellations, though no casualties have been reported so far.
Overview
- Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in Indonesia erupted, sending ash clouds up to 10,000 meters high and prompting evacuations.
- The eruption led to the cancellation of multiple flights connecting Bali to various international destinations.
- Residents in nearby villages were evacuated to safety as ash and debris fell outside the danger zone.
- The Indonesian government raised the eruption alert to the highest level, expanding the danger zone to 8 kilometers.
- Despite the disruptions, some airports remain operational, with airlines rescheduling flights affected by the eruption.
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Analysis
Emphasizes the impact of Indonesia's volcanic eruption, causing evacuations and widespread flight cancellations.
Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano in Indonesia erupted with giant ash and smoke plumes, leading to evacuations, flight cancellations, and disruptions to travel to Bali.
Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, standing at 1,584 meters (5,197 feet), is a twin volcano with Mount Lewotobi Perempuan in the district of Flores Timur.
The November eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and injuries to numerous others.
Indonesia is a densely populated archipelago with frequent seismic activity.
There have been no reported casualties.
Multiple eruptions on Tuesday evening to Wednesday afternoon sent ash up to 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) into the sky.
A volcanic eruption on Tuesday afternoon sent a mushroom-shaped ash cloud 32,800 feet into the sky, visible up to 93 miles away.
The eruption alert was raised to the highest level and the danger zone expanded to 8 kilometers from the crater, prompting authorities to recommend people to leave the area.
Officers evacuated from the Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki monitoring post located 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from the crater to avoid falling gravel during the eruption.
Ash and debris fell in several villages outside the danger zone, such as Boru, Hewa, and Watobuku.
Residents from Nurabelen village in Ile Bura subdistrict fled to evacuation sites in Konga to escape the eruption, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.
Numerous flights connecting Bali to cities in Australia, Malaysia, India, and China were canceled on Wednesday.
Volcanic ash poses a risk to plane engines.
Thousands of travelers were impacted by cancellations and delays.
The volcano has experienced multiple eruptions, leading to fluctuations in its danger level and no-go zone before being elevated to the highest level on Tuesday.
The volcano erupted in March on three separate occasions.
The country has 120 active volcanoes and is located along the 'Ring of Fire,' a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
Flights to and from Labuan Bajo international airport in Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara province were canceled.
The airport is currently open and functioning.
Jetstar announced that their flights between the tourist hotspot and Australian cities would be rescheduled due to the forecasted clearing of the ash cloud by late Wednesday.
Air New Zealand cancelled a return trip to Auckland and will rebook customers on the next available service.
Flights to New Delhi, Singapore, and Pudong, China were cancelled due to a volcano eruption, as reported on Denpasar airport's website.
Articles (5)
Center (3)
"…The eruption alert was raised Tuesday to the highest level and the danger zone where people are recommended to leave was expanded to 5 miles from the crater."
NBC News·17d·"…The eruption alert was raised Tuesday to the highest level and the danger zone where people are recommended to leave was expanded to 8 kilometers (about 5 miles) from the crater."
Associated Press·17d·"…Authorities raised the eruption alert to the highest level and expanded the danger zone to 8 kilometers (about 5 miles) from the crater."
ABC News·17d·FAQ
Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki is a stratovolcano with a recorded history of at least 19 eruptions between 1675 and 1991, with notable eruptions causing casualties in 1869, 1907, and November 2024. The last explosive eruption prior to 2025 occurred in May 2003, and smaller eruptions were reported since March 2025 before the latest event.
The Indonesian government raised the eruption alert to the highest level and expanded the danger zone to 8 kilometers. Residents in nearby villages have been evacuated to safety, and flights to Bali have been canceled or rescheduled. Military personnel have assisted with evacuation and cleanup efforts in affected villages.
The eruption caused widespread flight cancellations connecting Bali to international destinations. Some airports remain operational, but airlines have had to reschedule affected flights, and Jetstar was among the airlines canceling flights to Bali due to ash clouds reaching up to 11 kilometers high.
The eruption alert level for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki has been elevated to the highest level (Level 4 on a scale of 1 to 4), with the danger zone expanded to an 8-kilometer radius around the volcano to safeguard residents and reduce risk from ash and debris.
History
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