FLORES (UCAN): Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located the island of Flores, Indonesia, erupted at close to midnight on November 3, resulting in at least 10 deaths and forcing evacuations.
The volcano, located in the Wulanggitang subdistrict in East Flores Regency, spewed lava, volcanic ash and blazing rocks, according to Hadi Wijaya, a spokesperson for The Centre of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, Reuters reported on November 4.
As of the afternoon of November 4 at least 10 people had died, Reuters cited an official, Heronimus Lamawuran, as saying. He added that the eruption had affected seven villages.
“We have started evacuating residents since this morning to other villages located around 20 kilometres from the crater,” he said.
The National Disaster Management Agency said nine bodies had been identified. One victim is still hidden in the massive debris.
“We are waiting for the rescue team,” said agency spokesman Abdul Muhari.
A convent of the congregation of the Servants of the Holy Spirit in Boru, collapsed during the eruption, resulting in the death of one nun, Sister Nikolin Padjo, leader at the convent.
“It’s so sad; she was happy last night,” Sister Sinta Eren, a consœur said
Several seminarians were also injured at San Dominggo Hokeng Middle Seminary in the Wulanggitang district.
The National Disaster Management Agency said nine bodies had been identified. One victim is still hidden in the massive debris
Church institutions, including the Society of Divine Word’s Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Commission, are mobilising funds to help the victims.
A resident of Boru, Yoseph Stanis, said he was sleeping when the volcano erupted, followed by an earthquake. “The sudden power outage and the pouring sand made us panic,” the 70-year-old said.
Another resident, 60-year-old Jhon Sare, said, “I was shocked when my wife woke me up. I thought I was not safe anymore because I had a stroke.”
Non Wolor, a 19-year-old Boru, said his family used two motorbikes to escape. “My father panicked because he had to save my grandmother,” he said. He said that since the roads were filled with sand, many met with minor accidents.
The archipelago if Indonesia experiences frequent volcanic eruptions due to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of intense volcanic and seismic activity.
In January, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki experienced several significant eruptions, prompting authorities to raise the alert status to the highest and evacuate at least 2,000 residents.
In December last year, an eruption at one of the country’s most active volcanoes, Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, killed at least 24 climbers, most of them university students.
And in May, more than 60 people died after heavy rains washed volcanic materials from Marapi into residential areas, sweeping away homes.
In the same month, Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi province erupted more than half a dozen times, forcing thousands to flee.
