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Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano in Indonesia erupted three times on Friday, sending ash 8,000 meters into the air and prompting an expansion of the danger zone around the volcano.
Located on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara province, the volcano has experienced increased seismic activity, including hundreds of earthquakes, over the past week.
Residents in nearby cities like Larantuka and Maumere, located 50 to 85 kilometers from the volcano, reported hearing explosions during the eruption.
Monitoring stations on Flores confirmed the eruptions and also noted visible volcanic activity with smoke and firelight observed at the peak.
In response to the eruptions, authorities raised the alert level to the highest category and expanded the danger zone from 7 kilometers to 8 kilometers from the crater, although no new evacuations were ordered.
Due to the volcanic activity, several airlines canceled flights between Australia and Bali, while others faced delays, impacting travel plans for many.
Residents have been cautioned about the risk of heavy rainfall potentially causing lava flows in nearby rivers, highlighting the ongoing dangers associated with the volcano.