Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupts

9:28 am on 2 August 2025

This handout photo taken and released on August 1, 2025 by Indonesia's Geological Agency shows Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki spewing lava and volcanic ash up to approximately 10 kilometres high during its eruption as observed from the monitoring post in East Flores, in East Nusa Tenggara province. A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted on August 1, belching an ash tower 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) into the sky, the country’s volcanology agency said, weeks after another huge eruption triggered dozens of flight cancellations to and from Bali. (Photo by Indonesia's Geological Agency / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / INDONESIA'S GEOLOGICAL AGENCY" - HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Volcanic lightning flashing over Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki as it erupted on 1 August, 2025. Photo: Indonesia's Geological Agency / AFP

Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara Province erupted on Friday (local time), spewing a more than 10km high ash column, the country's volcanology agency said.

The volcano had experienced a number of eruptions in recent months, including an eruption in early July where it belched 18km of volcanic ash, causing flight disruptions to and from the nearby resort island of Bali.

The volcanology agency warned people to clear a 6-7km area from the crater and to be cautious of mudflow risks in case of heavy rainfall.

Photos shared by the agency showed a dramatic scene of volcanic lightning flashing over the volcano and the ash column reflecting the red colour of the lava flowing down the mountain's slopes.

- Reuters