The Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least nine people. The eruption sent towering plumes of lava into the sky and prompted authorities to evacuate several nearby villages, officials reported.
Hadi Wijaya, spokesperson for the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), noted that following the eruption, the area experienced a power outage, heavy rain, and intense lightning, which caused widespread panic among residents. In response to the eruption, authorities raised the volcano’s alert status to Level IV, the highest level.
According to Hadi, fiery lava and rocks reached settlements approximately four kilometers (two miles) from the crater, damaging and igniting homes. The agency has advised that a seven-kilometer (4.35 miles) radius be evacuated.
