June 18, 2025 – A volcano in Indonesia erupted on Tuesday, sending a huge ash cloud over 11 km (6.8 miles) into the sky. The explosion caused dozens of flight cancellations to and from Bali, a popular tourist destination.
What Happened in Indonesia?
- Volcano: Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki (on Flores Island, near Bali) erupted Tuesday evening.
- Ash Cloud: The dark ash spread high into the air, forcing airlines to cancel flights for safety.
- Highest Alert Issued: Authorities warned people to stay at least 7 km (4.3 miles) away from the volcano.
Flight Disruptions
- Cancelled Airlines: Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia, and others.
- Bali Airport Impact: At least 37 flights cancelled so far.
- Domestic Flights Also Affected: Some AirAsia flights to Flores were grounded.
Safety Warnings
- Risk of Mud Floods: Heavy rain could trigger dangerous mudflows (called lahars).
- Ash Dangers: People near the volcano were told to wear masks to avoid breathing in ash.
- Evacuations: One village was evacuated, and ash fell in nearby areas.
Why Does This Keep Happening?
Indonesia sits on the “Ring of Fire”, a zone with frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This same volcano erupted in November 2024 (killing 9 people) and again in May 2025.
