Indonesian Volcano Erupts, Forcing Highest Alert and Evacuations

On October 11, 2025, Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted, shooting volcanic ash more than 30,000 feet into the sky. The country's volcanology agency immediately raised the alert system to its highest level due to the significant increase in the volcano's activities since the previous day.

Authorities have ordered the evacuation of dozens of people living in villages nearest to the volcano. This is not the first time the area has been affected by the volcano's eruptions. In November 2024, a major eruption by Lewotobi Laki Laki killed 10 people and damaged thousands of homes, prompting a previous evacuation.

The latest eruptions, which occurred in the early morning and again in the late morning, have also led the government to close the nearby Fransiskus Xaverius Seda airport until Thursday. However, the eruptions so far have not affected flights to and from the popular resort island of Bali.

Indonesia, which sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," has more than 120 active volcanoes. The Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano last erupted in August, also causing some flight disruptions. With the highest alert level now in place, authorities are closely monitoring the situation and urging residents to be prepared for potential volcanic mudflows if heavy rain occurs.