Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Erupts Sending 11km Ash Cloud, Highest Alert Raised

Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano erupted on June 17, 2025, sending an ash column approximately 10,000 meters (32,000 feet) into the sky and prompting authorities to raise the alert level to the highest. The eruption produced a massive mushroom-shaped ash cloud visible from up to 150 kilometers away, leading to warnings for residents and tourists to avoid activities within a 7-kilometer radius of the crater due to potential lava flows, especially during heavy rains. Despite the dramatic eruption and raised alert, there were no immediate reports of casualties or flight disruptions, though previous eruptions in the region have led to evacuations and canceled flights. The Australian government issued a red aviation alert, and Japan's Meteorological Agency is investigating potential tsunami risks linked to the eruption. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, located on the tourist island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, is a twin-peaked volcano part of Indonesia's highly active volcanic landscape along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging calm and adherence to safety instructions.