Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupts, prompting evacuations and state of emergency
Volcanic Eruption Claims Lives in Indonesia, Destroys Homes
Volcanic Eruption Claims Lives in Indonesia, Destroys Homes
At least 10 fatalities reported as volcanic activity causes devastation on Flores Island
At least ten people have lost their lives following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in eastern Indonesia during the early hours of Monday. The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMG) reported that the volcano erupted at 23:57 local time, unleashing a torrent of lava and rocks that struck nearby villages, severely damaging and burning numerous homes.
According to Hadi Wijaya, a spokesperson for PVMG, the eruption has impacted seven villages located about 4 kilometers (2 miles) from the crater. Local officials have responded by raising the volcano's alert status to its highest level and have issued warnings recommending the clearance of a 7-kilometer (4-mile) radius from the eruption site. Heronimus Lamawuran, a local official, stated, "We have started evacuating residents to other villages located around 20 kilometers (13 miles) from the crater."
Eyewitness footage shared with the BBC shows harrowing scenes of individuals covered in volcanic ash, houses engulfed in flames, and the devastation left in the wake of the eruption. A spokesperson from Indonesia's disaster agency has cautioned that the coming days may bring further danger in the form of potential flash floods and cold lava flows.
In light of the disaster, the local government has declared a state of emergency for the next 58 days, which allows the central government to mobilize support and resources for approximately 10,000 residents affected by this tragedy.
Indonesia, situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is known for its high seismic activity resulting from multiple tectonic plates. This incident follows a series of eruptions in the area, including an event in May when Mount Ibu on the island of Halmahera forced the evacuation of seven nearby villages.
According to Hadi Wijaya, a spokesperson for PVMG, the eruption has impacted seven villages located about 4 kilometers (2 miles) from the crater. Local officials have responded by raising the volcano's alert status to its highest level and have issued warnings recommending the clearance of a 7-kilometer (4-mile) radius from the eruption site. Heronimus Lamawuran, a local official, stated, "We have started evacuating residents to other villages located around 20 kilometers (13 miles) from the crater."
Eyewitness footage shared with the BBC shows harrowing scenes of individuals covered in volcanic ash, houses engulfed in flames, and the devastation left in the wake of the eruption. A spokesperson from Indonesia's disaster agency has cautioned that the coming days may bring further danger in the form of potential flash floods and cold lava flows.
In light of the disaster, the local government has declared a state of emergency for the next 58 days, which allows the central government to mobilize support and resources for approximately 10,000 residents affected by this tragedy.
Indonesia, situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is known for its high seismic activity resulting from multiple tectonic plates. This incident follows a series of eruptions in the area, including an event in May when Mount Ibu on the island of Halmahera forced the evacuation of seven nearby villages.
