Volcano Eruption Claims 10 Lives, Forces Thousands to Flee

At least 10 people including a child have died in Indonesia following a series of powerful volcanic eruptions that destroyed homes and a Catholic convent, authorities said.

The eruptions, originating from Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, hit the remote island of Flores on Monday, according the country’s National Disaster Management Agency.

They began around midnight, sending thick plumes of ash up to 6,500 feet into the atmosphere and depositing hot ash on several nearby villages.

Fireman Yosef, an official at the Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki monitoring post, noted that volcanic materials were ejected as far as 3.7 miles from the crater, covering surrounding areas with ash and debris, which led to the destruction of homes, including a convent for Catholic nuns.

Rescuers are currently searching for additional victims believed to be trapped under collapsed buildings.

How Much Damage Did Lewotobi Laki Laki Eruption Cause?

The fatalities, including a child, were located within a 2.4-mile radius of the volcano’s crater.

The eruptions impacted at least 10,000 residents across six villages in Wulanggitang District and four villages in Ile Bura District.

Many locals have sought refuge with relatives, while authorities are preparing schools to serve as temporary shelters for those who have been displaced.

In response to the escalating eruptions, Indonesia’s volcano monitoring agency raised the alert level for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki to the highest status and expanded the exclusion zone to a 4.3-mile radius early on Monday morning.

Agusta Palma, head of the Saint Gabriel Foundation, confirmed that one nun from Hokeng village had died, with another still missing. “Our nuns ran out in panic under a rain of volcanic ash in the darkness,” Palma said.

How Common Are Volcanic Eruptions in Indonesia?

Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki is one of two stratovolcanos in East Flores district, known locally as the husband-and-wife mountains, with its counterpart being Lewotobi Perempuan, or “woman.”

Earlier this year, around 6,500 residents were evacuated after the volcano began erupting in January, leading to the closure of the island’s Frans Seda Airport.

Although that eruption did not result in casualties, the airport remains closed due to ongoing seismic activity.

Muhammad Wafid, head of the Geology Agency at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, explained that the characteristics of this eruption differ from those earlier in the year, attributing the recent activity to a buildup of pressure caused by a blockage of magma in the crater.

He said: “The eruptions that occurred since Friday were due to the accumulation of hidden energy.”

How Many Active Volcanoes Does Indonesia Have?

The incident marks Indonesia’s second significant volcanic eruption in recent weeks; on Oct. 27, Mount Marapi in West Sumatra erupted multiple times, producing thick columns of ash and blanketing nearby villages, though no casualties were reported from that event.

Indonesia is home to 120 active volcanoes and is situated along the “Ring of Fire,” a region known for its seismic activity, including earthquakes and landslides, affecting its population of approximately 280 million.

This story contains additional reporting from The Associated Press