Major Volcanic Eruption Near Bali Airport Disrupts Travel

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  .