Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts in Indonesia, Ash Cloud Reaches 11 Kilometers High
JAKARTA, June 17 (Reuters) – Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted on Tuesday, sending a massive ash cloud soaring 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) into the sky, according to Indonesia’s volcanology agency.
The agency has raised the volcano’s alert level to the highest danger status amid warnings of possible lava flows, especially if heavy rains occur in the area. This eruption follows a similar event in May, when the alert was also set to the most severe level.
Dramatic images released by the agency show an orange mushroom-shaped ash cloud engulfing a nearby village, raising concerns about the safety of local residents.
While the impact on air travel remains unclear, previous eruptions of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki—such as the one in March—caused significant flight disruptions. Airlines including Australia’s Jetstar and Qantas Airways canceled or delayed flights to Bali during that time.
Indonesia’s search and rescue and disaster mitigation agencies have yet to provide official comments on evacuation measures.
Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is prone to frequent volcanic and seismic activity due to the convergence of multiple tectonic plates.
