Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Location: Mount Lewotobi Laki‑Laki (Flores Island, Indonesia)
What Happened
Eruption details: On Tuesday evening (June 17), Mount Lewotobi Laki‑Laki violently erupted, launching an ash column up to 11 km (36,000 ft) high .
Alert raised: Indonesia’s Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Agency immediately upgraded the alert to the highest level and enforced an 8 km exclusion zone .
Travel Chaos
Thousands of flights delayed or cancelled into Bali (Ngurah Rai International Airport) by airlines like Singapore Airlines, Jetstar, Air India, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, and Qantas .
Notably, an Air India flight diverted mid‑air, returning from Delhi to avoid the ash hazard .
Dozens of services between Bali and Australia, India, Singapore, China, and Malaysia remain grounded or significantly delayed .
Evacuations & Local Safety
Villages—including Boru, Hewa, Watobuku, Nurabelen, Nileknoheng—within the expanded danger zone are being evacuated .
Authorities warn of lahar (mudflow) risks, advising residents near rivers to stay alert .
Thankfully, no casualties have been reported so far .
🧭 What Travelers Should Know
Check your flight: Airlines advise contacting them directly—rebookings are in progress as they monitor ash dispersion.
Health precautions: If you’re in Bali or nearby islands, wear masks and avoid outdoor exposure to ash.
Keep informed: Volcanic forecasts suggest the ash cloud may clear later today, but that remains contingent on shifting wind and rainfall patterns .