Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki: Indonesia volcano eruption sends ash cloud 10km into sky after highest alert raised
One of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes has unleashed an enormous ash cloud 10km into the sky, with officials enacting the country’s highest alert.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted at 5.35pm local time, Indonesia’s volcanology agency said in a statement, sending a huge plume of ash into the air above Flores, an island holiday destination popular with Australians.
“The height of the eruption column was observed at approximately 10,000 metres above the summit. The ash column was observed to be grey with thick intensity,” a spokesperson said, after the alert level was raised to the highest of a four-tiered system.
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An exclusion zone was reportedly in place around the 1584m high twin-peaked volcano. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
Authorities have advised residents and tourists to avoid all activities within a 2km radius of the crater.
The volcano erupted multiple times in November, killing at least 10 people and forcing thousands in the area to flee. The severe ash cloud also forced flight cancellations.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has more than 120 active volcanoes, making it one of the most volcanically active countries in the world.
