Red alert: Volcanic eruption on Flores endangers travel and lives!

Red alert: Volcanic eruption on Flores endangers travel and lives!

On May 18, 2025, a devastating volcanic eruption of Lewotobi Laki-Laki occurred on the Indonesian island of Flores, throwing massive ash clouds up to 6,000 meters into the air. This not only led to the evacuation of residents, but also to significant flight cancellations in the region. Officials, including the Foreign Office, have issued a travel warning for Flores and surrounding areas. The situation is considered extremely serious, with a highest alert level (red) for the Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA), as Buzzfeed reported.

The volcanic eruption has not only led to evacuations, but also to an increased risk of lahars, volcanic mudslides and earthquakes. A six-kilometer exclusion zone was established around the crater to ensure the safety of the population. People in the area are urged to wear protective masks to protect themselves from the health risks of the ash. Indonesia, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is known as a geologically active zone and has a total of 127 active volcanoes.

Consequences of the outbreak

The impact of the outbreak is devastating. At least nine people have lost their lives and many houses have collapsed. International air traffic, especially around the popular holiday island of Bali, was also severely affected. Dozens of flights, including connections to Australia, Singapore and Malaysia, were canceled for safety reasons. Airlines including Jetstar and Virgin Australia have suspended their flights, and a Qantas plane had to turn around halfway through ZDF reported. In the meantime, 34 flights were affected on Tuesday alone.

The ash column from Lewotobi Laki-Laki even reached heights of almost ten kilometers and the damage is extensive. Schools and over 2,000 buildings, including monasteries and churches, were damaged. In response to this situation, authorities have set up help desks for stranded passengers at airports.

Recommendations to travelers

Travelers in the area are urged to heed the information and instructions provided by local authorities. Given the unpredictable volcanic activity and the associated dangers, vacationers should always keep themselves informed about the current flight status and adjust their plans as a precaution. The safety of local people, both locals and tourists, is a top priority.

Overall, this volcanic eruption shows once again how important it is to be aware of the risks in geologically active regions and to take appropriate precautionary measures.