Indonesia raises volcano alert level to 'Beware; following fatal and deadly Mt Lewotobi Laki-Laki eruption


Smoke billows from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki as seen from Klatanlo village, in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Monday, November 4, 2024, after it erupted overnight. At least six people died after a volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted several times overnight, officials said on November 4, raising the alert level to the highest of a four-tiered system. - AFP

JAKARTA (Bernama): The volcanic activity status of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, has been raised from level III to IV or "Beware" after a Sunday eruption that resulted at least 10 fatalities.

The volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted overnight, killing at least 10 people as it spewed fireballs and ash on surrounding villages, officials said Monday as they raised the alert status to its highest level.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,703-metre (5,587-feet) twin volcano located on the popular tourist island of Flores, erupted shortly before midnight, forcing authorities to evacuate several villages.

Residents also had described their horror to the media when the crater started to shoot flaming rocks at their homes.

The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported that the eruption, which occurred at 11.57 pm local time, affected six villages across three sub-districts, impacting more than 11,000 residents.

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of East Flores, in a statement Monday, said the six victims were from the village of Klatanlo in Wulanggitang.

Local authorities have designated schools as evacuation centres and extended the emergency alert status for 96 days, from Sept 27 to Dec 31, it added.

The PVMBG has urged residents around Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, as well as visitors and tourists, to avoid activities within a seven-kilometre radius of the eruption centre.

They have been advised to remain vigilant about the risk of rain-triggered volcanic mudflow in rivers that originate from the summit during heavy rainfall. - Bernama

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Indonesia , volcano , alert level , eruption , Lewotobi

   

Next In Aseanplus News

Fahmi congratulates 'Abang Adik' director for winning Best Film at the 10th Asian World Film Festival held in Los Angeles
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Friday (Nov 22, 2024)
Aaron-Wooi Yik, Pearly Thinaah bow out of China Masters
Japan government approves mammoth US$140bil stimulus with aims putting more cash into peoples' pocket
Man killed after public place shooting in Sydney's inner city
Gold bars, cash bundles in kimchi boxes: Millions seized from S. Korea tax dodgers
Action star Jackie Chan recalls earning his first HK$4mil pay cheque and buying 7 luxury watches in one go
Singapore raises 2024 growth forecast as recovery takes hold in good manner this year
Indonesian President Prabowo state visits unlocks US$18.5 billion in investment promises
Over one million young children are working in the Philippines as recorded in 2023

Others Also Read