Volcano Eruption in Indonesia Leaves at Least 10 Dead

Footage reveals homes scorched and damaged by a downpour of volcanic rocks.

At least 10 people have died after Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted early Monday on Flores Island in eastern Indonesia officials report.

According to the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMG), the volcano in East Nusa Tenggara province erupted at 11:57 p.m. local time. Fiery lava and rock flows reached villages within 4 km (2 miles) of the crater, damaging homes, said PVMG spokesperson Hadi Wijaya.

The eruption has impacted seven nearby villages, and PVMG has raised the volcano’s alert level to the highest, ordering a 7 km (4-mile) evacuation zone.

We began relocating residents this morning to villages about 20 km (13 miles) away from the crater, local official Heronimus Lamawuran told Reuters.

Eyewitness video shared with BBC News reveals people blanketed in volcanic ash, rocks falling from the sky, homes engulfed in flames, and the charred aftermath of the eruption’s devastation.

An Indonesia disaster agency spokesperson cautioned about the risk of flash floods and cold lava flows in the days ahead.

They noted that the local government has declared a 58-day state of emergency, allowing the central government to assist in providing aid to 10,000 impacted residents.

Indonesia lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone of intense seismic activity due to multiple tectonic plates.