Tue Nov 05 05:07:01 UTC 2024: ## Volcano Eruption in Indonesia Kills Nine, Thousands Evacuated
**Flores Timur, Indonesia (November 5, 2024):** The Indonesian government is working to evacuate over 16,000 residents from villages surrounding Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, an active volcano that erupted on Sunday night, killing nine people and damaging thousands of houses.
The volcano, located on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted again on Monday night. It remains on Indonesia’s highest volcanic alert status. Thick volcanic ash has hampered evacuation efforts, with only about 2,472 residents out of the targeted 16,086 evacuated as of Tuesday morning.
“We plan to temporarily evacuate the residents until it’s safe for them to return to their villages,” said Heronimus Lamawuran, spokesperson for East Flores regional government.
The evacuees are being taken to three school buildings and temporary shelters in villages around 20 kilometers from the crater. Authorities have deployed additional trucks, military, and police personnel to assist with the evacuation process.
The death toll from the eruption has been revised down to nine, with 63 injured and approximately 2,384 houses and 25 schools damaged. The local government has declared a state of emergency for the next 58 days, enabling the central government to provide aid to affected residents.
Four small airports on Flores Island have been closed due to the volcanic ash.
Indonesia, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, is known for its frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
First Piper 