November 5, 2024: A powerful eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, located in the East Flores district of Indonesia, has claimed at least 10 lives and caused widespread destruction on the island of Flores. The volcano erupted late Monday night, spewing ash plumes that soared more than 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) into the sky, and releasing volcanic debris that has devastated several nearby villages.

The eruption caused significant damage, destroying homes and buildings, including a local convent, and forcing thousands of residents to flee under a sky darkened by thick ash. Villagers scrambled to evacuate, many seeking shelter with relatives or in makeshift accommodations as local authorities scrambled to provide temporary housing. At least 10,000 residents across 10 villages have been affected by the eruption, with the immediate need for food, water, and medical supplies.

In Hokeng village, a nun tragically lost her life in the eruption, and another remains missing amid the volcanic debris. Rescue teams are continuing to search through collapsed buildings for survivors. Authorities have confirmed that volcanic materials were propelled up to 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from the crater, blanketing towns in ash and forcing the evacuation of nearby communities.

The eruption has prompted the country's disaster management agency to raise the alert level of Mount Lewotobi to its highest status, expanding the exclusion zone to a 7-kilometer radius from the crater due to the increasing frequency of eruptions. Officials are warning that further eruptions could follow, urging residents in the surrounding areas to remain vigilant and avoid the affected zones.

Indonesia's disaster response teams are focusing on providing immediate relief to the displaced, while schools in the region are being converted into temporary shelters. The eruption of Mount Lewotobi comes just days after Mount Marapi in West Sumatra erupted, though that event did not result in casualties.

Indonesia, situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is home to 120 active volcanoes and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The authorities are monitoring the situation closely as they continue to assist affected communities and prepare for potential further eruptions.