A devastating volcanic eruption on Mount Lewotobi in eastern Indonesia has tragically claimed at least 10 lives. The eruption, occurring just before midnight on Monday, has forced emergency measures across Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province. The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki was accompanied by streams of molten lava and showers of volcanic rocks that devastated nearby villages.
According to the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMG), the volcano unleashed fiery debris over a 4-kilometer radius, causing extensive damage to homes in surrounding communities. As officials continue assessing the impact, it’s reported that seven villages have been directly affected by the eruption.
In response, PVMG has raised the alert level to its maximum, urging residents to evacuate within a 7-kilometer radius around the crater. Thousands are being relocated to safer areas up to 20 kilometers away. Local officials have launched an extensive evacuation effort, moving residents to temporary shelters in neighboring villages to avoid further casualties.
Amidst the crisis, authorities have declared a state of emergency set to last 58 days, which enables greater support from the central government. Emergency provisions will now flow to the estimated 10,000 residents facing displacements and urgent needs in the wake of this catastrophe.
Eyewitness video from the area reveals the harrowing scene: ash-covered residents, homes engulfed in flames, and entire landscapes left scarred by the volcanic debris. Indonesian disaster officials have cautioned about the potential for flash floods and cold lava flows in the coming days, as rains may mix with volcanic ash, intensifying the risk to communities still reeling from the eruption.
Indonesia, positioned along the seismically active “Ring of Fire,” frequently faces volcanic and earthquake activity. This recent eruption follows a similar event in May, where Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island forced evacuations in nearby villages.
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