Flights To And From Bali Cancelled After Indonesia Volcano Erupts
Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted on Tuesday, shooting a massive ash cloud over 11 kilometers into the sky. The towering plume was visible nearly 90 miles away, prompting officials to raise the volcano’s alert to its highest level of their four-tier system. Though no injuries have been reported, authorities have expanded the danger zone to a 7-kilometer radius and warned of possible lahar floods if heavy rain hits the ash-covered slopes of the mountain.
The eruption has disrupted air travel across the region, forcing dozens of flights to and from Bali to be cancelled or delayed. “Due to volcano activity of Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Nusa Tenggara, several flights at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport are cancelled,” said airport operator Angkasa Pura Indonesia. Major airlines like Singapore Airlines, JetStar, Air India, and Virgin Australia are among those affected, while the Fransiskus Xaverius Seda airport in Maumere is shut until Thursday to ensure passenger safety.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, one of Indonesia’s 120 active volcanoes on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” has erupted several times this year. In November, an eruption claimed nine lives and forced thousands to evacuate. Tremors continue to shake the area, and officials are urging residents to wear masks and stay clear of the exclusion zone.
