Volcanic eruption rages, Indonesia raises alert to highest level

Images of the Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano erupting on August 18, 2025, June 17, 2025 and November 12, 2024. Last night and this morning, October 15, the volcano continued to erupt with a 10km high ash column - Photo: AFP, REUTERS

According to AFP news agency, the Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on Flores island, eastern Indonesia, began erupting on the night of October 14 (local time), and continued to erupt again at 1:35 a.m. on October 15.

The eruption shot ash and volcanic material 10km above the 1,584m peak.

The geological agency immediately raised the volcano's alert level to level 4 - the highest in Indonesia's four-level system - late on October 14, after it detected an increase in deep earthquakes, which are often a warning sign of a strong eruption.

There have been no reports of casualties or damage, but authorities have warned residents and visitors to stay away from the area and are prepared for possible emergency evacuation.

Mr Muhammad Wafid, head of Indonesia's geological agency, warned that the huge ash column from the eruption could "disrupt aviation activities and flight routes if it spreads further".

Authorities have now suspended operations at the local airport in Maumere town, about 60km west of Mount Lewotobi, according to a statement on the airport's Instagram account.

The geological agency also warned residents living near rivers to be alert to the risk of dangerous volcanic mudflows (lahars) if there is heavy rain.

Mr. Wafid also said that volcanic ash could disrupt aviation operations.

Previously in July, the Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano erupted, sending a column of ash up to 18km high, forcing 24 flights at the international airport on the tourist island of Bali to be canceled.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki (meaning “man” in Indonesian) is 1,584m high, next to Mount Lewotobi Perempuan (meaning “woman”), which is 1,703m high but quieter.

According to AFP, Indonesia is located on the “ Pacific Ring of Fire” - the area with the strongest and most frequent seismic activity in the world, stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia to the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, this country often suffers from seismic activities and volcanic eruptions.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nui-lua-phun-du-doi-indonesia-nang-canh-bao-len-muc-cao-nhat-20250920132630268.htm