Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano eruption in Indonesia leaves 10 dead, thousands affected

Representative image

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, located on the island of Flores, erupted early Monday, causing widespread damage and claiming at least 10 lives. The eruption sent thick clouds of ash over 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) into the sky, covering nearby villages in volcanic debris and destroying homes, including a convent where one nun died and another is missing.

The National Disaster Management Agency reported that volcanic ash and hot materials blanketed surrounding villages, forcing thousands to flee. Over 10,000 people across 14 villages in the Wulanggitang, Ile Bura, and Titehena districts have been affected, with homes and public spaces buried under layers of ash. Social media images show houses covered up to their rooftops, with residents scrambling for safety.

Authorities have raised the alert level to its highest status and expanded the danger zone to a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius around the volcano. Eruptions at Mount Lewotobi have been increasing in frequency, with ash reaching up to 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the crater, posing serious risks to the communities nearby.

This eruption follows another volcanic event on October 27 at Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes. While that eruption blanketed nearby villages in ash, it resulted in no casualties.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an area prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity due to shifting tectonic plates. The country has over 130 active volcanoes, making it one of the world’s most seismically active regions. Scientists and monitoring agencies work continuously to track these volcanoes, issuing alerts and evacuation warnings to keep residents safe.

As search and rescue teams work to find missing persons and support affected communities, this eruption highlights the dangers of living near active volcanoes. For now, thousands of displaced residents wait for conditions to improve, hoping to return to their homes once the immediate danger has passed.