Indonesia’s Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano erupts as alert level raised
The eruptions came after Indonesia's Geology Agency raised its alert level to the highest on Friday night (Sep 19).
In this photo released by Geological Agency (Badan Geologi) of the Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, lava glows on the slope of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki during an eruption on Aug 1, 2025. (Badan Geologi via AP)
JAKARTA: A volcano in eastern Indonesia has erupted multiple times, spewing a column of ash kilometres into the sky after authorities raised its alert level to the highest, prompting a local airport to suspend operations on Saturday (Sep 20).
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,584m-high twin-peaked volcano on Flores island, launched into a series of eruptions on the evening of Sep 19, with the largest at 10.46pm local time sending volcanic material 6km above its peak, the volcanology agency said in a statement.
Volcanic activities resumed on the morning of Sep 20, with the agency recording several eruptions including one that sent an ash tower 2.5km into the sky.
The eruptions came after the geology agency raised the volcano’s alert level to the highest of Indonesia’s four-tiered system on the night of Sep 19.
Geology agency head Muhammad Wafid warned residents and tourists to stay at least 6km from the volcano’s crater and said volcanic ash could disrupt airport operations.
“Volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki’s eruption could also disrupt airport operations and flight paths if it spreads towards the airport area and aircraft routes,” he said in a statement.
Residents, particularly for communities near rivers, should also be on alert for the possibility of hazardous lahar floods - a type of mud or debris flow of volcanic materials - if heavy rain occurs, he added.
An airport that serves domestic flights in the town of Maumere, also on Flores, suspended its operations following the eruptions.
Frans Seda airport head Partahian Panjaitan told AFP authorities would monitor developments on Sept 21 before deciding whether to reopen.
In July, the volcano spewed a colossal 18km tower of ash, forcing the cancellation of 24 flights at the international airport on the resort island of Bali.
Bali’s airport was operating normally without disruption on Sep 20, spokesperson Gede Eka Sandi Asmadi told AFP.
Laki-Laki, which means man in Indonesian, is twinned with the calmer but taller 1,703m volcano named Perempuan, after the Indonesian word for woman.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
