A volcanic eruption in eastern Indonesia has claimed the lives of at least 10 people, officials report. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, situated on Flores Island in the East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted at 11:57 PM local time on Monday, according to the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMG).
Hadi Wijaya, a spokesperson for PVMG, indicated that fiery lava and volcanic rocks rained down on villages located about 4 kilometers (2 miles) from the crater, causing extensive damage to homes. Local authorities have confirmed that the eruption has impacted seven villages in the region.
The PVMG has elevated the volcano's alert level to the highest status, cautioning that residents must evacuate a 7-kilometer (4-mile) radius from the crater. "We began evacuating residents this morning to safer villages located approximately 20 kilometers (13 miles) away from the volcano," local official Heronimus Lamawuran stated.
Video footage from eyewitnesses reveals harrowing scenes of devastation: residents covered in volcanic ash, rock showers pelting homes, and fires consuming nearby settlements. One clip shows a man with ash covering his shirt and face, symbolizing the eruption's chaotic aftermath.
A representative from Indonesia's disaster agency has warned of potential flash floods and cold lava flows in the days to come. In response to the crisis, local authorities have declared a state of emergency for the next 58 days, allowing the central government to assist nearly 10,000 affected residents with aid.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, one of two significant volcanic peaks at the eastern tip of Flores Island, has experienced intermittent eruptions since last December. Residents were already advised to maintain a distance of at least 3 kilometers from the volcano due to ongoing activity.
The repeated eruptions have severely disrupted the local economy. Many residents have fled their homes and are taking shelter in schools, while local cashew nut farmers report significant crop damage due to the ash fall.
Indonesia lies along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a region known for high seismic activity and home to around 130 active volcanoes. Unfortunately, many communities reside near these volcanoes, drawn by the fertile soil that volcanic ash provides for agriculture.
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