Indonesia continues evacuations from areas affected by volcanic eruption

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – Authorities in Indonesia have evacuated nearly 2,500 people from areas affected by the ongoing eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, local media reported Wednesday.

Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf said local officials are working to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced people in shelter centers in the affected region, according to the Kompas media outlet.

"The logistical assistance reached refugee camps which were concentrated in three main points, namely Konga Village (1,219 people), Bokang Village (606 people) and Hokeng Village (647 people), as well as other areas," Yusuf said.

Emergency response teams are monitoring the situation in the affected areas, he added.

On Tuesday, local authorities said they asked thousands of people to leave the region and move to shelter camps.

At least 10 people have died so far as a result of the eruption, including a nun, while one person remains missing. Lava flows have damaged several buildings, including a monastery, and rescue teams are searching for more victims.

The eruption has impacted six villages in Wulanggitang district and four in Ile Bura district, affecting an estimated 10,000 people. Authorities have raised the alert level for Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki to its highest point as the volcano has been emitting thick brown ash columns up to two kilometers (1.24 miles) daily for the past week.

Indonesia, located along the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” has 130 active volcanoes, making it one of the world’s most seismically active countries.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid