Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province erupted with great force, sending a huge ash cloud about 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) into the sky. The eruption happened on June 17, 2025 at 5:35 PM local time and created a thick, grey, mushroom-shaped ash cloud.
After this, Indonesian authorities raised the alert level to the highest and expanded the danger zone to 8 kilometres around the crater.
According to the Indonesian Geological Agency, volcanic activity increased sharply, 50 incidents were recorded in just two hours. Normally, only 8 to 10 such events happen in a day.
Evacuations and Warnings Issued
Hundreds of people living near the volcano were moved to safer places as a safety step. Officials warned that lava and dangerous volcanic mudflows (called lahar), especially during heavy rain, could be a threat. People and tourists were clearly told to stay outside the 8-kilometre danger zone, stay calm, and follow government instructions. Authorities also asked everyone to avoid believing in rumours and to get updates only from trusted sources.
Even though the eruption was strong, there were no reports of deaths or major damage to buildings. But the large ash cloud caused worry about flight delays. While some regional flights were cancelled or delayed, big airports like Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport stayed open and did not shut down.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki is 1,584 meters (5,197 feet) tall and is part of a twin volcano system, along with the quieter Mount Lewotobi Perempuan. This volcano has been active in the past too — including a deadly eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured many.
Indonesia is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. With over 270 million people and 120 active volcanoes, the country regularly faces natural disasters like this one.