### Tragic Eruptions on Indonesian Island Leave At Least 10 Dead

At least ten people have lost their lives following a series of volcanic eruptions on the Indonesian island of Flores, as confirmed by the national disaster management agency. The major eruption, originating from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Monday night, propelled thick ash up to 2 kilometers into the atmosphere, blanketing several villages and incinerating properties including a Catholic convent.

Firman Yosef, an official responsible for monitoring Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, reported that the volcanic debris traveled as far as 6 kilometers from the crater, engulfing nearby settlements and compelling countless residents to evacuate. Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the national disaster management agency, revealed that search efforts are ongoing to locate more bodies that may be buried under collapsed buildings. All deceased individuals, which include a child, were discovered within a 2.4-mile radius of the volcanic crater.

The devastating eruption has impacted over 10,000 residents across ten villages in the Wulanggitang and Ile Bura districts. Though some evacuees have sought refuge with relatives, local authorities are setting up temporary shelters in schools. In response to the escalating volcanic activity, the volcano's alert status has been elevated to the highest level, extending the exclusion zone to a 4.3-mile radius after midnight on Monday.

Among the lives lost was a nun from Hokeng village, while another remains missing. Agusta Palma, head of the Saint Gabriel Foundation that manages local convents, described the panic as nuns fled amidst a downpour of volcanic ash in the pitch darkness.

Social media has been flooded with images and videos depicting entire villages smothered in volcanic debris, with hotspots such as Hokeng seeing homes consumed by flames from the hot volcanic material. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is one-half of a pair of stratovolcanoes in East Flores – the other half being Lewotobi Perempuan.

The latest eruptions prompted the evacuation of approximately 6,500 residents back in January due to intense ash clouds, leading to the closure of the island's Frans Xavier Seda airport. Despite no significant damage or casualties at that time, the airport remains closed due to ongoing seismic activity. Muhammad Wafid, head of the geological agency at the energy and mineral resources ministry, explained that the recent eruption differed from January’s due to a magma blockage, which intensified pressure without significant seismic warning signs.

This eruption marks Indonesia's second in just two weeks, following a similar event at West Sumatra's Mount Marapi on October 27. No casualties were reported there, although the eruption deposited extensive volcanic ash on neighboring villages.

Indonesia, home to about 120 active volcanoes within its population of 280 million, is frequently affected by earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the seismically volatile "Ring of Fire" encircling the Pacific Ocean.