On Monday, Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency reported that volcanic eruptions on the remote island of Flores have resulted in at least six fatalities. The eruptions began with Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki just after midnight, unleashing thick brownish ash that ascended approximately 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) into the atmosphere.
The hot ash descended upon nearby villages, leading to the destruction of several homes, including a convent for Catholic nuns, as confirmed by Firman Yosef, an official at the monitoring post for the volcano.
Initially, the reported death toll was nine, but it was later revised to six after the agency received updated information from local authorities. As the situation continues to develop, officials are gathering more data regarding casualties and the extent of the damage, with local media indicating that additional victims may be trapped under collapsed structures.
The ongoing eruptions have prompted authorities to escalate the alert level for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki and expand the danger zone around the volcano due to increased volcanic activity.
Following the eruptions, Indonesia’s volcano monitoring agency upgraded the volcano’s alert status to its highest level and extended the exclusion zone to a radius of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles).
Deadly Eruptions on Indonesia’s Flores Island Leave Six Dead, Thousands Displaced
This decision came after the frequency of eruptions rose significantly, raising concerns about the safety of residents in surrounding areas. As a result, over 10,000 individuals have been impacted by the volcanic activity across multiple districts, including Wulanggitang, Ile Bura, and Titehena, affecting numerous villages.
In particular, four villages in Ile Bura District—Dulipali, Nobo, Nurabelen, and Riang Rita—have reported being affected, as have four villages in Titehena District: Konga, Kobasoma, Bokang Wolomatang, and Watowara. Volcanic materials have been ejected up to 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the crater, depositing significant amounts of debris in surrounding villages and forcing many residents to evacuate to safety.
The impact of the eruptions has been severe, with reports of significant property damage and loss of life. Agusta Palma, head of the Saint Gabriel Foundation, noted that one nun in Hokeng village died, while another remains unaccounted for.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the nuns fled their convent in fear amid a downpour of volcanic ash. In stark contrast to the recent eruption of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, which occurred on October 27 without reported casualties, the eruptions on Flores have caused substantial destruction and disruption for the local communities.
