Indonesia's Volcano Spews Massive Ash Tower 10,000 Metres Above Summit, Alert Issued | Watch

Last Updated:June 17, 2025, 18:53 IST

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,584-metre-high twin-peaked volcano on the tourist island of Flores, erupted on Tuesday, spewing a massive ash cloud.

Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted on Tuesday. (AFP)

A volcano in eastern Indonesia spewed a massive ash tower – nearly 10,000 metres above the summit – into the sky on Tuesday, according to Indonesian authorities.

An alert was issued as Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,584-metre-high twin-peaked volcano on the tourist island of Flores, erupted at 5:35 pm (local time), the volcanology agency said in a statement. “The height of the eruption column was observed at approximately 10,000 metres above the summit," it said.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage as the alert level was raised to the highest of the four-tiered system. “The ash column was observed to be grey with thick intensity," said the agency.

The eruption led to the emergency evacuation of hundreds of residents as the volcanology agency warned of possible lava flows, according to Newsweek. It was not clear if any flights had been affected yet.

“The public and tourists are urged not to carry out activities within a radius of 6 km from the eruption centre, and to remain calm and follow directions from the local government. The public is also asked not to trust information whose source is not clear," said the volcanology department.

Geology agency head Muhammad Wafid said residents and tourists should avoid carrying out any activities within at least seven kilometres of the volcano’s crater. He warned of the possibility of hazardous ‘lahar’ floods, a type of mud or debris flow of volcanic materials, if heavy rain occurs.

In November, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted multiple times, killing nine people and forcing thousands to evacuate, as well as the cancellation of scores of international flights to Bali. Laki-Laki, which means man in Indonesian, is twinned with the calmer but taller 1,703-metre (5,587-foot) volcano named Perempuan.

(with agency inputs)

Jakarta, Indonesia

News world Indonesia's Volcano Spews Massive Ash Tower 10,000 Metres Above Summit, Alert Issued | Watch