**Tragedy Strikes as Indonesian Volcano Erupts Leaving 10 Dead**

**A volcano in eastern Indonesia has erupted, killing at least 10 and sparking evacuations across affected villages.**

 

A catastrophic eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki occurred early Monday morning in East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 individuals, as reported by officials. The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMG) confirmed the volcano erupted at 23:57 local time, unleashing a torrent of lava and volcanic debris that struck nearby villages approximately 4 kilometers (2 miles) from the crater.

Local authorities disclosed that as many as seven villages have been impacted by the eruption, with houses burned and damaged in the aftermath. "The volcano's status has been elevated to the highest alert level due to the ongoing risk," noted Hadi Wijaya, a PVMG representative. As an immediate response, evacuation efforts have begun, relocating residents to safer areas approximately 20 kilometers (13 miles) from the volcano.

Eyewitness footage shared with various media outlets captures chilling scenes: communities shrouded in thick ash, homes engulfed in flames, and widespread devastation from the eruption. Additionally, officials from the nation's disaster agency have issued warnings regarding the potential for flash floods and cold lava flows in the approaching days.

In response to the volcanic crisis, local government authorities declared a state of emergency lasting 58 days, allowing for the deployment of resources to assist an estimated 10,000 residents affected by this disaster. Indonesia is situated in the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a region notorious for its geological volatility, which has already seen a series of volcanic eruptions this year, including an evacuation linked to Mount Ibu on Halmahera Island in May.