Arab Weather - At least 9 people died on Monday morning as a result of the eruption of the Laki Laki volcano, an active volcano located on the island of Flores, eastern Indonesia.
Rescue teams are still searching for possible victims under the rubble of collapsed homes, said Manguta Halan, head of the East Flores province's emergency response and logistics agency. Halan told the German Press Agency (dpa):
"We are still assessing the situation and there may be more casualties."
The eruption caused panic among residents of nearby villages, with many fleeing their homes as ash and debris fell. The government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas until Dec. 31, Halan said. The alert level has been raised to the highest level, and evacuation orders have been issued for nearby villages.
The volcano has been showing signs of increased activity since Nov. 1, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation. The center said the eruption has intensified in recent days, with increased seismic activity and rising ash clouds. A 7-kilometer (4.4-mile) exclusion zone has been established around the volcano as a precaution.
Terrible situation in the southeast of Flores Island, Indonesia. The Lewotobi (Lakilaki) volcano erupted and launched powerful bombs of pyroclastic and volcanic ash towards nearby villages. Several houses caught fire and an intense rain of ash and gravel has forced residents… pic.twitter.com/HIUO8pi02T
— Weather monitor (@Weathermonitors) November 3, 2024
Indonesia lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where the convergence of continental plates causes significant seismic and volcanic activity. The country has about 130 active volcanoes, which increases the risk of these natural phenomena.
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