Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki has erupted with dramatic force, darkening skies and shaking ground across Indonesia’s Flores Island. Villagers watched in fear as ash filled the sky. The volcano unleashed thick clouds, visible 150 kilometres away, late Tuesday afternoon.
The eruption sent smoke and ash soaring 10,000 metres into the air. Local officials said the explosion followed a sharp increase in seismic activity. In just two hours, 50 deep volcanic quakes were recorded—far above the usual daily count.
Danger zone expands, villages evacuated
Authorities raised the volcano’s alert level to its highest status. The danger zone around the crater was widened to eight kilometres for safety. Two nearby villages were swiftly evacuated as streets filled with gravel, sand and heavy ash.
No casualties have been reported so far, officials confirmed. However, residents have been warned of possible lava flows due to rainfall. Videos captured clouds expanding into a massive mushroom shape as frightened locals watched from a distance.
"This eruption is quite large. Up there, it must be dark," said local resident Frans Kino, pointing toward the mountain.
Lewotobi Laki-Laki, standing 1,584 metres tall, is one of a pair of twin volcanoes in East Nusa Tenggara. Its name means “male Lewotobi,” paired with Lewotobi Perempuan, or “female Lewotobi.”
Flights cancelled, travel disrupted across region
The eruption affected international air travel, especially between Australia and Bali. Airlines including Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Singapore Airlines and Air India cancelled dozens of flights.
Jetstar cancelled at least a dozen flights on Wednesday morning. Others faced delays of up to three hours, according to flight trackers.
Virgin Australia cancelled all Bali flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Qantas-operated flights also reported delays.
Singapore Airlines, Air India, and Air New Zealand cancelled several Bali-bound services.
Air New Zealand said it is working to rebook passengers. "Safety of our crew and customers is our top priority," said COO Alex Marren.
Indonesia’s government also closed the nearby Fransiskus Xaverius Seda airport.
The volcano’s last major eruption was in November, killing nine people and injuring many others. With over 120 active volcanoes, Indonesia often faces these risks. The country lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
As ash settles and alerts remain high, communities and travellers alike are left waiting. The skies above Flores may clear soon, but the rumble beneath continues.
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