The Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on Indonesia’s Flores Island erupted violently over the weekend, leaving at least 10 dead as ash and lava rained down on nearby villages.
Baby and Nun Among the Dead
The eruption, which began late Sunday night and continued into Monday, has forced evacuations and left the area coated in thick volcanic ash.
Among the dead are a baby and a nun, according to local authorities, while several homes have burned down or been heavily damaged, according to Linternaute.
Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), announced the death toll in a press briefing, initially reporting six fatalities but later confirming four additional deaths.
While no one is reported missing, search and rescue teams are actively working in affected areas, particularly in Klatanlo, an eastern village on Flores Island.
Popular Tourist Destination
Locals described the terrifying night.
“I was sleeping when my bed suddenly shook twice, like someone was shaking it,” said 32-year-old Hermanus Mite, who evacuated immediately upon realizing the volcano had erupted.
Another resident described flames and falling rocks that destroyed his living room, leaving little of his home behind.
Flores, a popular tourist destination, has been put on high alert as authorities raised the volcano’s status to the highest level.
The Indonesian Volcanology Agency advised residents and tourists to stay at least seven kilometers (about 4.3 miles) from the crater. The eruption also forced the temporary closure of Maumere Airport, about 37 miles away, as officials closely monitor volcanic activity in the region.
For the people of Flores, this eruption follows a pattern of increased volcanic and seismic activity common across Indonesia’s Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
Just this year, several significant eruptions — including from Sumatra’s Marapi volcano, which claimed 24 lives — have underscored the region's risk.
Heavy rain can also exacerbate volcanic dangers by sending lava flows into populated areas, a risk currently heightened by wet season weather. As a precaution, residents have been advised to wear masks and stay indoors as much as possible.
