Sudden eruption devastates villages, residents recount moments of terror

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a towering volcano in eastern Indonesia, erupted late Sunday night, claiming the lives of at least 10 people and prompting swift evacuations from nearby villages. The eruption caught residents off-guard, igniting widespread panic as molten lava and volcanic ash swept through the region.

Details of the powerful eruption

The eruption began at 11:57 p.m. local time (15:57 GMT) and sent a massive column of fiery lava, ash, and incandescent rocks into the sky. Hadi Wijaya, spokesperson for the Centre of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), confirmed that the lava reached up to four kilometers (about two miles) from the volcano’s crater, severely impacting homes and infrastructure in its path.

Resident accounts of chaos and escape

Residents described scenes of confusion and fear as the natural disaster unfolded. Hermanus Mite, a 32-year-old hairdresser, recounted the moment to AFP: “I was asleep when suddenly the bed shook twice as if someone had slammed it. Then I realised the volcano had erupted, so I ran outside.” Mite added, “I saw flames coming out and immediately fled. There were ashes and stones everywhere. My salon also caught fire and everything inside was lost.”

Ongoing evacuations and safety measures

The initial eruption triggered immediate evacuation orders for five villages, displacing thousands. An AFP journalist reported that flames engulfed several wooden homes, and the ground bore deep craters from falling molten rocks. The volcano erupted again at 1:27 a.m. and 2:48 a.m. local time, further escalating concerns and complicating rescue efforts.

Local authorities and the PVMBG are monitoring the situation closely, focusing on safeguarding residents and assessing the full extent of the damage.