Indonesia: Highest alarm level for volcano Lewotobi Laki-Laki

The Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on the Indonesian island of Flores does not come to rest: in the afternoon (local time) the almost 1,600 meter high Feuerberg broke out again. He spat a huge ash column more than five kilometers high into the sky, as the authority for volcanology and geological dangers (PVMBG) announced. It was only on Sunday that there was a stronger eruption with a 3.5 km high ash cloud.

The authorities increased the alarm level for the volcano to level IV – the highest in Indonesia’s four -stage scale. Residents and tourists were warned to avoid the crater within a radius of at least six kilometers. In some regions in the west, north and northeast, the restricted zone was expanded to seven kilometers.

Warning of mudslopes

People were advised to keep calm and to follow the official instructions. In addition, you should cover your mouth and nose with masks, for example, to protect yourself from the ashes very dangerous for the airways. At the same time, heavy rainfall was warned of sludge avalanches.

At first it was unclear whether the eruption could also affect air traffic again – for example in Bali. The popular holiday island is only around 500 kilometers from the province of East Nusa Tenggara, in which the volcano is located.

Dead by glowing rock

In the past few months, the Lewotobi Laki-Laki, who has been active again since the end of 2023, has broken out several times. In some cases, flights – including from and to Bali – were painted.

At the end of last year, the volcano thrown glowing rock for miles. Several people killed under the ruins of their burning houses. Thousands of people were driven out and accommodated in evacuation centers.

The world’s largest island state of Indonesia is located on the so -called Pacific fire ring, the most geologically active zone on earth. The island of Flores, located east of Bali, is popular with tourists from all over the world because of its beautiful landscapes and diving areas.