close
close

Six people killed in volcanic eruption in eastern Indonesia

Posted on by Bobb
Six people killed in volcanic eruption in eastern Indonesia

Latest update:

Mount Levotobi Lucky Laki, located on the popular tourist island of Flores, spewed a tower of ash and lava onto nearby villages, which were forced to evacuate.

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. (Photo: AP file)

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. (Photo: AP file)

At least six people have died after a volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted several times overnight, officials said on Monday, raising the alert level to the highest of a four-level system.

Mount Levotobi Lucky Laki, located on the popular tourist island of Flores, spewed a tower of ash and lava onto nearby villages, which were forced to evacuate.

“Six deaths have been confirmed according to our coordination with local authorities,” Abdul Mukhari, a spokesman for the disaster management agency, told Kompas TV on Monday.

Footage obtained by AFP showed villages near the volcano covered in a thick layer of ash and some areas on fire.

The country’s volcanological agency raised the alert level to its highest level and ordered local residents and tourists not to carry out activities within a seven-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius of the crater.

“There has been a significant increase in volcanic activity at Mount Levotobi Laki-laki,” a press release said Monday.

He warned there was a possibility of lava floods caused by the rains and advised locals to wear masks to avoid exposure to volcanic ash.

The mountain experienced several major eruptions in January, prompting authorities at the time to raise the alert status to its highest level and evacuate at least 2,000 residents.

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.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news feed – AFP)

    Location :

    Jakarta, Indonesia

World news Six people killed in volcanic eruption in eastern Indonesia