Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi erupts again, sending ash 18 km into sky

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Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted again on Monday, spewing volcanic ash as high as 18 kilometres and covering nearby villages.

Thick columns of volcanic ash burst into the sky after Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted, according to the country’s Geology Agency.

The eruption sent a column of volcanic materials as high as 18 kilometres (11 miles) into the sky and deposited ash on surrounding villages.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The volcano also unleashed an avalanche of searing gas clouds down its slopes.

Authorities had raised the volcano’s alert status to the highest level after an eruption on 18 June.

Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, standing at 1,584 metres, last erupted in March without causing casualties. However, an eruption last November killed at least nine people and injured dozens.

Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki is a twin volcano with Mount Lewotobi Perempuan in Flores Timur district.

Indonesia has around 120 active volcanoes and is located along the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' an area with frequent seismic activity.

Meanwhile, heavy rains since Saturday have inundated dozens of neighbourhoods in the capital Jakarta, according to the Jakarta Globe.

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