Indonesia volcano belches ash tower as highest alert level issued

The long eruption on late March 20 prompted the country's geological agency to raise Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki's alert level to the highest of the four-tiered system.

Ask from the eruption of the Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in eastern Indonesia. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Ask from the eruption of the Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in eastern Indonesia. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) – Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in eastern Indonesia erupted on March 20 evening, sending a dark ash tower 8 kilometres into the sky, as officials raised the alert level to its highest.

According to Indonesian authorities, the 1,703-meter volcano on the tourist island of Flores, Nusa Tenggara province, erupted for 11 minutes and nine seconds from 10:56 pm (local time).

There were no immediate reports of damage to nearby villages, but the authority warned residents of the potential for volcanic mudflow due to heavy rainfall.

The long eruption prompted the country's geological agency to raise the volcano's alert level to the highest of the four-tiered system.

Authorities imposed an exclusion zone between 7–8 kilometres around the volcano.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted multiple times in November 2024, killing nine people, cancelling scores of international flights to the tourist island of Bali, and forcing thousands to evacuate.

Located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire”, Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activities./.

VNA

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