Volcano Erupts in Eastern Indonesia, Killing 9 and Displacing Thousands
Introduction
EAST FLORES: A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted again on Tuesday, blowing an ash column into the sky a day after it spewed fireballs on nearby villages that killed nine people.
The Volcanic Activity
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,703-metre (5,587-feet) twin volcano located on the popular tourist island of Flores, shot flaming rocks at residential areas overnight Monday, setting wooden houses on fire and pockmarking the ground. The authorities initially reported that the eruption had killed at least 10 people and injured dozens more, but later revised the toll down by one.
The Latest Eruption
On Tuesday, Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted again, shooting ash a kilometre into the sky (0.6 miles), according to an AFP journalist near the volcano. There were no immediate reports of fresh damage to villages surrounding the crater.
Response and Evacuation
The local search and rescue agency in the town of Maumere on Flores said in a statement that no residents had been reported missing, but rescuers were still combing through the volcanic debris as a precaution. Some nearby residents who appeared to have stayed in their homes were evacuating in trucks after the latest eruption, the journalist said.
Precautionary Measures
Authorities on Monday raised the volcano’s alert level to the highest of a four-tiered system, telling locals and tourists not to carry out activities within a seven-kilometre (4.3-mile) radius of the crater. Roofs of houses collapsed after they were hit by volcanic rocks, and locals were forced to shelter in communal buildings after the eruptions.
Eyewitness Accounts
Residents described their horror when they realised they were in the shadow of an eruption, which they said was initially masked by adverse weather. "I saw flames coming out and immediately fled. There were ashes and stones everywhere," said 32-year-old hairdresser Hermanus Mite.
Impact and Aftermath
The disaster mitigation agency said more than 10,000 were affected. There were multiple tremors and eruptions at the volcano last week, sending columns of ash between 500 and 2,000 metres (6,500 feet) into the sky several days in a row.
Laki-Laki and Indonesia’s Geographical Location
Laki-Laki, which means "man" in Indonesian, is twinned with a calmer volcano named after the Indonesian word for "woman". Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent eruptions due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an area of intense volcanic and seismic activity.
Conclusion
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in eastern Indonesia has resulted in the loss of lives and displacement of thousands. The government has taken measures to ensure the safety of locals and tourists, and the situation is being closely monitored. The country’s geographical location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" makes it prone to frequent volcanic and seismic activity, and it is essential to be prepared for such events.
FAQs
- What is the current status of the eruption?
The volcano has erupted again, shooting ash a kilometre into the sky, and the situation is being closely monitored. - How many people have been affected?
More than 10,000 people have been affected by the eruption. - What are the authorities doing to respond to the situation?
The authorities have raised the volcano’s alert level to the highest of a four-tiered system, and locals and tourists are advised not to carry out activities within a seven-kilometre radius of the crater.