Tragic Eruption: Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki Claims Lives and Displaces Communities in Indonesia

The recent eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has devastated local communities on Flores Island, leading to at least 10 confirmed deaths, numerous evacuations, and a dire warning from authorities regarding potential aftereffects.

At least 10 people have lost their lives following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, a volcano situated on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. The disaster struck in the early hours of Monday when the volcano erupted at 23:57 local time, as reported by the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMG).

According to PVMG spokesperson Hadi Wijaya, lava and volcanic rocks surged into surrounding villages approximately 4km (two miles) from the crater, severely damaging and igniting multiple homes. Official reports indicate that seven villages have been affected by this natural catastrophe. The eruption has prompted authorities to raise the volcano’s alert status to the highest level, necessitating the evacuation of residents within a 7km (four-mile) radius from the crater.

Local official Heronimus Lamawuran reported that evacuation efforts commenced early Monday, relocating residents to safer areas approximately 20km (13 miles) away from the dangerous zone. Eyewitness videos shared with the BBC depict harrowing scenes of individuals covered in ash, homes engulfed in flames, and the landscape scarred by volcanic debris.

As recovery efforts unfold, a representative from Indonesia's disaster agency has cautioned against the potential for flash floods and cold lava flows in the forthcoming days. The local government has declared a state of emergency lasting 58 days, allowing central government assistance for around 10,000 individuals affected by the eruption.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, part of a twin volcanic formation at the island's eastern edge, has exhibited intermittent activity since last December, with an earlier advisory instructing residents to maintain a distance of 3km from the volcano. The ongoing eruptions this year have severely impacted the local economy, causing distress among residents, particularly those dependent on farming, such as cashew nut growers, whose crops have suffered due to the ash fallout.

Indonesia, located on the volatile Pacific "Ring of Fire," is home to approximately 130 active volcanoes, with many communities residing perilously close to them due to the rich soil that volcanic ash provides for agriculture.