Sharjah 24 – AFP: A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted once more on Tuesday, sending a column of ash into the sky just a day after its deadly eruption killed at least 10 people and injured dozens. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,703-metre twin volcano on the island of Flores, unleashed fireballs on Monday night, hitting nearby villages with flaming rocks that set homes ablaze and caused widespread damage.
Authorities initially reported the deaths of at least 10 people and dozens of injuries, but later revised the toll. On Tuesday, the volcano erupted again, shooting ash a kilometre into the sky. No immediate reports of further damage to surrounding villages were received, though some residents were seen evacuating in trucks.
The local search and rescue team in Maumere, Flores, said no one was reported missing, though search efforts continued through volcanic debris. Authorities had raised the volcano's alert level to the highest level on Monday, urging residents and tourists to stay at least seven kilometers from the crater.
The eruption caused roofs to collapse under the weight of volcanic rocks, forcing locals to seek shelter in community buildings. Many residents described their fear and panic as the eruption unfolded, with some initially unaware of the volcano’s activity due to bad weather conditions.
More than 10,000 people were affected by the eruption, and tremors and eruptions had occurred multiple times last week, sending ash columns up to 2,000 meters into the sky.
Lewotobi Laki-Laki is part of a twin-volcano system, with its calmer counterpart known as "Lewa-Tobi Perempuan" (the "woman" volcano). Indonesia, located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is no stranger to frequent volcanic and seismic activity.
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