Major volcanic eruption disrupts tourism in Indonesia

Indonesia experienced a significant volcanic eruption near the resort island of Bali as Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted at 5:35 PM on Tuesday, releasing an ash cloud that reached approximately 11 kilometers (six miles) into the atmosphere.

The eruption caused an extensive ash cloud that affected visibility and air quality, with images capturing the dramatic orange mushroom shape of the cloud engulfing the nearby village of Tailbura. Reports indicated that the ash was visible up to 93 miles away, leading to widespread chaos across the island.

The tourism-dependent region is facing severe disruption, as multiple domestic and international flights have been canceled, impacting over 1,000 travelers. Domestic routes to Jakarta and Lombok were halted, while international flights from destinations including Australia, China, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore were also affected. Airlines such as Qantas, Air India, and Singapore Airlines announced cancellations in response to the situation.

In the East Nusa Tenggara region, three airports were closed due to the eruption. Authorities established a 7-kilometer danger zone around the volcano and issued warnings about potential lava flows, especially as rainfall could exacerbate the risk of further disruptions. Residents and tourists have been advised to wear masks to protect against ash inhalation, and evacuations were conducted for those in proximity to the volcano.

The eruption followed days of heightened volcanic activity, prompting the national disaster agency to raise the alert level to very high after a previous eruption in May. While JetStar reported that the ash cloud was expected to clear later that evening, significant delays and turmoil remained for travelers attempting to visit Indonesia.

The country is situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire, known for its high seismic activity, and this latest eruption underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Indonesia. The situation continues to evolve, and the effects on tourism and local communities will likely be profound.