JAKARTA (Bernama): The volcanic activity status of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, has been raised from level III to IV or "Beware" after a Sunday eruption that resulted at least 10 fatalities.
The volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted overnight, killing at least 10 people as it spewed fireballs and ash on surrounding villages, officials said Monday as they raised the alert status to its highest level.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,703-metre (5,587-feet) twin volcano located on the popular tourist island of Flores, erupted shortly before midnight, forcing authorities to evacuate several villages.
Residents also had described their horror to the media when the crater started to shoot flaming rocks at their homes.
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported that the eruption, which occurred at 11.57 pm local time, affected six villages across three sub-districts, impacting more than 11,000 residents.
The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of East Flores, in a statement Monday, said the six victims were from the village of Klatanlo in Wulanggitang.
Local authorities have designated schools as evacuation centres and extended the emergency alert status for 96 days, from Sept 27 to Dec 31, it added.
The PVMBG has urged residents around Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, as well as visitors and tourists, to avoid activities within a seven-kilometre radius of the eruption centre.
They have been advised to remain vigilant about the risk of rain-triggered volcanic mudflow in rivers that originate from the summit during heavy rainfall. - Bernama
