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Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island Erupts, Death Toll Continues to Rise

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island Erupts, Death Toll Continues to Rise
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island Erupts, Death Toll Continues to Rise. Image Source: Lazismu

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, erupted early Monday, 4th of November. At least nine people have been killed, dozens more injured, and several buildings damaged due to the ‘rain of material’ from the eruption.

Agustina Oa Kwuta, a resident of Hokeng Jaya Village—one of the most affected areas—reported that her grandson sustained head injuries after being struck by a zinc roof that fell due to the rain of material from the volcanic eruption. When the eruption occurred, Kwuta said her family tried to take shelter in a closet; however, her grandson refused because he was afraid.

“The zinc fell and immediately hit him on the head,” Kwuta told BBC News Indonesia on Monday.

Meanwhile, a teacher at the San Domingo Seminary located in Hokeng Jaya, Father Yosef Dominikus, stated that prior to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, there was rain and lightning on Sunday night.

“Around midnight, there was a very large eruption. There was probably also an earthquake, followed by sand rain and a significant amount of volcanic rock falling,” Dominikus said.

Airports in the Flores region, including Maumere Airport, were temporarily closed due to the impact of volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki. This measure was taken to maintain flight safety, as the air situation remains contaminated with volcanic ash. The Head of the BMKG Maumere Meteorological Station, Ota Welly Jenni Thalo, stated that volcanic ash poses a significant risk to flight operational safety.

“The impact of volcanic ash on flights is very serious, ranging from navigation disruptions to the risk of damage to aircraft engines due to the high temperature of the ash,” Thalo said in an interview with national public radio RRI on Monday.

According to data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of Tuesday, 5th of November, nine people have died, and one victim is in critical condition due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki. Search and rescue efforts continue to ensure that all victims are evacuated from the affected areas.

Meanwhile, 10,295 people have been affected by the eruption across two sub-districts: Wulanggitang Sub-district with 9,479 people, and Ile Bura Sub-district with 816 people. Additionally, 2,472 people have been evacuated to three locations: Konga Village with 1,219 people, Bokang Village with 606 people, and Lewolaga Village with 647 people.

“Currently, the Head of BNPB [Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana or National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure], Mr. Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto, as well as the Deputy Minister of Social Affairs, are en route to the location of the victims and the disaster site,” said the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Pratikno, at a press conference on Tuesday.

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