A powerful volcanic eruption has shaken Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in Indonesia, sending a massive ash plume into the sky and prompting immediate evacuations in the surrounding areas.
The eruption occurred on July 7, 2025, on Flores Island, part of Indonesia’s eastern archipelago. Authorities reported that the volcano ejected an ash column more than 18 kilometers (11 miles) high, forcing aviation alerts and displacing hundreds of residents. Local disaster agencies quickly moved people from high-risk zones to temporary shelters, while health officials warned of respiratory risks due to ashfall.
The volcano has shown signs of unrest over the past month, but this explosive event was its most violent in recent years.
Scientists from Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center are closely monitoring the situation. They upgraded the alert level and established an exclusion zone within 5 kilometers of the crater. Volcanologists noted that the eruption was driven by pressurized magma rich in gas, which often results in sudden, high-intensity blasts.
While no casualties have been reported so far, officials are urging continued vigilance. The government is coordinating with humanitarian agencies to provide food, water, and medical aid to affected communities.
