Volcanic eruption forces thousands to evacuate in Indonesia

Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano in East Nusa Tenggara province is increasing in activity

AFP news agency on January 2 quoted a local official as saying that more than 2,200 people were evacuated to temporary shelters after a volcano increased activity in eastern Indonesia.

The Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano in East Nusa Tenggara province has erupted several times in recent days, including an eruption on January 1 that sent ash 1.5 kilometers above the summit, according to the Indonesian Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG).

The agency recorded another eruption at the Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on January 2, but no ash cloud was detected.

Volcanic ash from recent eruptions has affected two areas near Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, forcing more than 2,200 residents to evacuate to temporary shelters set up by local authorities, according to Benediktus Bolibapa Herin, an official in East Flores district.

"There are 1,931 evacuees in Wulanggitang sub-district and 328 evacuees in Ile Bura sub-district. Due to the increased activity of the Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano, communities have been relocated to safe areas to guard against unwanted events," the official said, adding that the number of evacuees could increase as more people seek safety.

Authorities on January 1 raised the volcano's alert level to the second highest in Indonesia's four-level alert system and expanded the exclusion zone from 2 km to 4 km from the crater.

Volcanic ash also forced Frans Seda airport, located more than 80 km away, to close since January 1, according to Antara news agency.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of intense volcanic and seismic activity. Last month, Mount Merapi on Sumatra island erupted, killing 23 people. Indonesia has nearly 130 active volcanoes.

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