Deadly Volcano Eruption in Indonesia Claims 6 Lives, Thousands Evacuated

At least six people have lost their lives following a series of powerful volcanic eruptions on Indonesia's Flores Island, the country's National Disaster Management Agency reported. The latest eruption at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki occurred just after midnight, spewing dense ash clouds up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) into the air and impacting nearby communities.

The hot ash reached nearby villages, destroying several homes, including a convent for Catholic nuns. Firman Yosef, an official monitoring Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, confirmed the destruction in affected areas. Initially, the death toll was reported as nine, but local authorities later revised it down to six.

Officials are still assessing the extent of casualties and damage, with reports suggesting that some people may be trapped under collapsed structures. Given the escalating volcanic activity, authorities have raised the danger level for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki and expanded the exclusion zone to a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius.

Approximately 10,000 people in Wulanggitang District and surrounding villages, including Pululera, Nawokote, and Hokeng Jaya, have been affected. Volcanic debris has spread as far as 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the crater, blanketing homes and forcing evacuations.

In Hokeng village, a nun tragically died, while another is reported missing. Agusta Palma, head of the Saint Gabriel Foundation, expressed sorrow over the loss, noting that many nuns fled in panic as ash rained down in the darkness.

Images and videos shared on social media reveal the devastation, with homes in villages like Hokeng buried under volcanic debris and some catching fire due to the intense heat.

This eruption is Indonesia's second in recent weeks. On October 27, Mount Marapi in West Sumatra erupted, covering nearby villages in ash, although no casualties were reported in that incident.

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