Jakarta
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province has resulted in the deaths of ten people, as confirmed by Abdul Muhari on Monday, spokesperson for the national disaster management agency (BNPB). Nine bodies have been recovered, while one individual remains trapped under rubble.
The eruption, which occurred late Sunday, prompted mass evacuations, affecting over 10,000 residents from seven villages. Many of these individuals have relocated to evacuation centers for safety.
Muhari warned that a 7-kilometer danger zone has been established around the crater, prohibiting residents from entering the area. Search operations are currently underway for any missing persons, although specific numbers have not been disclosed.
To aid emergency relief efforts, local authorities have declared a state of emergency effective from November 4 until December 31, 2024. BNPB officials are expected to arrive in the affected region tonight to oversee disaster response and provide essential supplies to those impacted.
The eruption has caused hot clouds to ignite fires in residential areas and nearby vegetation, according to Richard Felt, an analyst at the provincial disaster management agency. Mount Lewotobi is one of Indonesia’s 127 active volcanoes, highlighting the ongoing geological risks in the region.
