Eastern Indonesia Experiences Major Volcanic Eruption, Destroying Homes And Causing Thousands To Flee
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency reported this Monday that at least six people have passed away after a series of intense volcanic eruptions occurred on the remote island of Flores in eastern Indonesia.
Mount Lewotobi Laki erupted just after midnight on Monday, releasing thick ash clouds up to 6,500 feet into the air. The hot ashes quickly reached a nearby village causing multiple properties to burn down, including homes, and a convent for Catholic nuns, according to Firman Yosef, an official at the Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki monitoring post.
The Disaster Management Agency hasn’t fully confirmed the amount of people who have died as they’re consistently receiving updated information from local authorities.
Authorities have also been raising the danger level and extending the danger zone for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki today. The mountain experienced a series of other eruptions that began last week.
Indonesia’s volcano monitoring agency has increased their volcano alert status to the highest level possible and has vastly increased their exclusion zones to a 4.3 mile radius after the eruptions early Monday morning became more frequent.
The agency also stated that at least 10,000 people have been impacted by the eruption, which took place in the Wulanggitang District, including the six nearby villages of Pululera, Nawokote, Hokeng Jaya, Klatanlo, Boru, and Boru Kedang.
The Dulipali Village, Nobo, Nurabelen, and Riang Rita were the villages impacted in the Ile Bura District. In the Titehena District, the Konga Village, Kobasoma, Bokang Wolomatang, and Warowara were affected.
Yosef stated that volcanic material erupted 3.7 miles above its crater, which forced thousands of residents to flee as the ashes and volcanic debris covered nearby villages and towns.
“A nun in Hokeng village died and another was missing,” said Agusta Palma, the head of the Saint Gabriel Foundation.
“Our nuns ran out in panic under a rain of volcanic ash in the darkness,” Palma said.
Updates are set to continue to roll out as the damage is further assessed. One of the biggest priorities is search and rescue for any missing residents and impacted people who had to quickly leave their homes.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
