At least nine people died on the night from Sunday to Monday on the Indonesian island of Flores as a result of a volcanic eruption. Lava and volcanic ash destroyed some buildings.
The Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupted several times overnight, spewing out huge amounts of hot ash and torrents of lava that reached seven nearby villages. Dust and ash that covered the area with a thick layer forced some residents to flee.
At least nine people were killed, local officials said. Several buildings were destroyed.
– After the eruption, there was a power outage, followed by rainfall and strong lightning, which caused panic, said Hadi Wijaya, spokesman for the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazards (PCMBG).
Residents were evacuated to other villages located about 20 kilometers from the volcano, which has been in its active phase since January.
As a result of the volcanic eruption, buildings were destroyedPAP/EPA/EAST FLORES BPBD
The authorities declared an exclusion zone an area with a radius of seven kilometers from the volcano.
Indonesia, located on an archipelago of islands, is a zone of exceptionally high seismic activity and is part of the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire surrounding the Pacific Ocean. There are frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in that area.
PAP, Reuters, tvnmeteo.pl
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/EAST FLORES BPBD