Indonesia Volcanic Eruption Claims Lives and Destroys Homes on Flores Island
In a devastating series of volcanic eruptions, Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki has claimed at least 10 lives, including a child, and left significant destruction in its wake on the remote island of Flores. The eruptions, which began around midnight, sent thick clouds of ash rising up to 2,000 meters (approximately 6,500 feet) into the air. Hot volcanic material cascaded down, impacting several villages and even engulfing a convent of Catholic nuns.
According to Firman Yosef, an official at the Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki monitoring post, volcanic debris was ejected as far as 6 kilometers (about 3.7 miles) from the crater, blanketing nearby communities and forcing thousands to evacuate. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that at least 10,000 people have been affected across six villages in Wulanggitang District and four villages in Ile Bura District. Many residents have sought refuge with relatives, while local authorities are preparing schools to serve as temporary shelters.
As rescue operations continue, there is an urgent search underway for additional victims buried under collapsed structures. Abdul Muhari, the spokesperson for the BNPB, confirmed that all bodies recovered so far were found within a 4-kilometer (approximately 2.4 miles) radius of the volcano’s crater. Among the deceased was a nun from Hokeng village, with another still unaccounted for.
In response to the increasing activity, Indonesia’s volcano monitoring agency raised the volcano’s alert status to the highest level and expanded the exclusion zone to a 7-kilometer (about 4.3 miles) radius. The eruptions have been characterized by their intensity and frequency, with Muhammad Wafid, head of the Geology Agency at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, noting a significant difference in the eruption’s characteristics compared to earlier activity in January. Wafid explained that the recent eruptions were due to a buildup of pressure from magma blockage in the crater.
Visual evidence shared on social media highlights the extent of the damage, with images showing homes in Hokeng buried under layers of volcanic debris. Residents described the terrifying experience of fleeing under a rain of volcanic ash, with many caught off guard by the eruption’s ferocity.
This volcanic event follows another eruption just weeks prior at Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, which erupted on October 27 without causing casualties but still creating significant ash clouds. Indonesia, home to 120 active volcanoes, is situated along the “Ring of Fire,” a seismically active region that makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
As the situation develops, the Indonesian government continues to monitor the volcano closely while providing assistance to those affected by this natural disaster. The resilience of the communities facing these challenges will be crucial in the days ahead.
For ongoing updates on this situation and other significant events in Indonesia, visit WhatsIssue—your trusted source for news and analysis.
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