Volcano Spews 10km Ash Cloud Over Flores Island
Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted on Tuesday, sending a hot ash cloud 10 kilometres high over Flores Island. The 1,584-metre volcano began erupting around 5:35pm local time following a spike in seismic activity.
The eruption created a thick grey plume visible from 150 kilometres away. The Geology Agency confirmed 50 deep volcanic earthquakes within two hours before the event, compared to the usual eight to ten daily quakes. The agency raised the alert to the highest level of its four-tiered system before the eruption began.
BREAKING: Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Indonesia has erupted 🌋
“There was an eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 17:35 WITA with an observed ash column height of ± 10,000 m above the peak (± 11,584 m above sea level),” said the Volcano Observation… pic.twitter.com/lpWZnHQwk1
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) June 17, 2025
Danger Zone Expanded as Villagers Evacuated
Authorities extended the exclusion zone to 8 kilometres from the crater. Local officials evacuated one nearby village after volcanic tremors continued following the eruption. There were no casualties reported by late Tuesday, but the National Disaster Mitigation Agency urged residents to move to safe areas.
BNPB spokesman Abdul Muhari stated, “Ash rain was reported in several villages outside the exclusion zone.” The agency warned residents about possible lahars—volcanic mud or debris flows—especially if heavy rain hits river areas linked to the volcano.
Witnesses Describe Scale of Eruption
Footage shared online showed residents watching the mushroom-shaped ash cloud grow rapidly over the mountain. Villager Frans Kino, who lives nearby, said, “It looks like this eruption is quite large. Up there, it must be dark.”
The volcano’s previous major eruption in November killed nine people and injured dozens. The region hosts more than 120 active volcanoes, part of the Pacific’s seismic “Ring of Fire”.
Flight Disruptions Affect Travel to Bali
The volcanic ash cloud forced airlines to cancel several international flights into Bali. Virgin Australia cancelled some Brisbane and Melbourne flights scheduled for Wednesday. Jetstar grounded four incoming flights from Australia that morning.
Air New Zealand halted two Bali-Auckland flights and confirmed they would “continue to closely monitor” the situation. The airline added, “Safety is always our first priority and we will only operate into and out of Denpasar when it is safe to fly.”
Qantas kept its flights on schedule but said it was watching developments. TigerAir from Singapore and Juneyao Airlines from China also cancelled their flights. Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport said it remained operational but warned more cancellations could follow depending on wind direction and ash density.
The volcanic ash clouds forced airline disruptions
Tourists and Locals Warned to Stay Clear
Geology agency head Muhammad Wafid advised residents and tourists to avoid activity within a 7-kilometre radius of the crater. He warned of potential lahar floods and urged people to wear face masks to reduce ash inhalation risks.
Wafid said, “The height of the eruption column was observed at approximately 10,000 metres above the summit. The ash column was observed to be grey with thick intensity.”
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Twin Volcano System Continues to Show Activity
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is part of a twin volcanic complex with Lewotobi Perempuan, located in East Nusa Tenggara province. Laki-Laki means “male” and Perempuan means “female” in Indonesian. Perempuan, the taller of the two at 1,703 metres, remains calmer for now.
The region’s frequent volcanic activity stems from its tectonic location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Indonesia, home to over 270 million people, experiences frequent earthquakes and eruptions due to the complex fault lines beneath its islands.
Authorities Remain on High Alert
Officials remain on high alert as tremors continue to shake the region. The exclusion zone and alert level will remain until further notice. The volcano’s latest activity highlights the persistent risks along Indonesia’s fault-prone archipelago.
Disaster officials advised local communities to follow instructions from emergency services and prepare for further disruptions if weather or seismic activity worsens.
The Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki eruption continues to impact aviation, travel, and daily life across the region. Authorities stress ongoing vigilance as volcanic activity remains unpredictable.
