Lembata (Indonesia), 17 June (LaPresse/AP) – The Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano, located in south-central Indonesia, erupted on Tuesday, spewing huge columns of red-hot ash into the air. Authorities have raised the eruption alert to the highest level and expanded the danger zone to 8 kilometres from the crater. The Indonesian Geological Agency said in a statement that it recorded the volcano spewing 10,000 metres of thick grey clouds on Tuesday afternoon, following significant volcanic activity, including 50 eruptions in two hours, instead of the usual 8-10 daily eruptions. The ash spread into a mushroom-shaped cloud visible from towns located between 90 and 150 kilometres from the volcano. No casualties have been reported. Residents were advised to watch out for heavy rain that could cause lava flows in rivers originating from the volcano. An eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in November killed nine people and injured dozens more.
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