DOZENS more flights to tourist hotspots have been cancelled after a massive ash cloud exploded from a volcano in Indonesia.
Mount Lweotobi Laki-laki was seen spewing plumes of ash more than 11km into the sky on Tuesday – sparking fears of an impending tsunami.
Authorities raised the highest red alert and residents have been urged to avoid activities within a 7km radius around the crater.
Multiple airlines have since delayed or cancelled flights to and from Bali, the popular holiday destination west of Flores.
These include Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Juneyao Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia.
Bali’s Gusti Ngurah rai International Airport showed that almost 40 flights have been cancelled due to the explosion.
A number of domestic AirAsia flights heading to Flores have also been axed.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency is investigating whether the eruption – with a 16,000-metre plume of ash – could spark a tsunami.
The organisation said: “The possibility of a tsunami hitting Japan is currently under investigation.
“If this eruption were to cause a tsunami to reach Japan, it is expected to arrive as early as 10pm in the Okinawa Prefecture area.”
They added: “The expected maximum height of the tsunami is unknown.”
Terrifying footage taken from a residential area nearby showed the moment a gargantuan plume of and orange and grey smoke erupted from the volcano.
The humongous mushroom cloud towered over horrified locals who watched on as dark smoke spewed into the air.
Visual observations taken earlier this week saw a significant increase in volcanic activity from Mount Lewotobi.
The country’s volcanology agency said it had raised the volcano’s alert to its highest and most dangerous level.
It also warned of potential lava flows if it rains.
Volcano Observation Post Officer Yohanes Kolli Sorywutun confirmed the eruption in a statement.
He said: “There was an eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 17:35 WITA.”
He added that there was an “observed ash column height of 10,000m above the peak (11,584 m above sea level)”.
Indonesian authorities have advised: “The public and tourists should refrain from engaging in activities within a 7km radius and the southwest-northeast sector 8 km from the eruption center.”
They also advised all those nearby to “remain calm and follow the directions of the local government”.
“People around disaster-prone areas should be aware of the potential for lava floods if heavy rain occurs,” authorities also warned.
They provided instructions to the public if they encountered raining ash.
“Residents affected by ash rain are advised to use masks or nose and mouth covers,” officials said.
In November last year, 10 people died after Mount Lewotobi spewed a fiery column of lava.
Hot ashes hit several villages, burning down houses including a convent of Catholic nuns.
Indonesia sits on the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, an area of high seismic activity atop multiple tectonic plates.
In April 2024, a remote volcano in Indonesia erupted and sent a tower of ash more than five kilometres into the sky.
Thousands were evacuated and an international airport was closed after Mount Ruang erupted several times.
Just this month, the 725-metre volcano erupted over six times, displacing more than 6,000 residents from their homes.
