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Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, a highly active volcano, has spewed a towering column of ash high into the sky above Indonesia and sent gas clouds rolling down its slopes
Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A highly active volcano has blown its top for the second time in two weeks, spewing a gigantic ash cloud tens of thousands of feet into the air above panicked locals.
Indonesians have awoken this morning to a covering of ash and volcanic material after Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted this morning, according to Indonesia’s Geology Agency.
The same volcano erupted in June, forcing everyone within a two-mile radius to flee its lethal currents of hot gas and debris.
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This is a live blog. Please follow below for updates...
09:38 - More pictures from the eruption site
Additional pictures from the eruption site show the massive column of smoke rising from the volcano, including sun hitting the cloud.
Image:
AP)08:55 - Eruption is one of thousands on 'Ring of Fire'
Today's eruption is one of thousands per year that rock the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', on which Indonesia resides.
The so-called ring, a horseshoe-shaped area in the Pacific Ocean, has 120 active volcanoes.
08:35 - UK government advises against all travel to vicinity of volcano
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has warned against all travel to the immediate vicinity of Mount Lewotobi.
The Government has warned people not to travel with seven kilometres (just over four miles) of the volcano's crater.
08:31 - Villagers seen moving around in ash-swept community as eruption continues
A video circulating on social media shows people living in the village of Boru, which is located below the volcano, navigating significant ashfall and going about their business following the eruption earlier today.
Residents in Boru village are moving outside from the danger zone. The ashfall is just everywhere now. This village lies below the Lewotobi Volcano and has been notably affected by ashfall during the eruptions. https://t.co/Ia2UbQfKTI pic.twitter.com/GtRwwNYwFd
— RenderNature (@RenderNature) July 7, 2025
08:13 - Mount Lewotobi's deadly previous eruptions
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is highly active, having been spewing ash and volcanic gases for years, but it isn't always deadly.
The last time Lewotobi killed was in 2024, when, following multiple eruptions in November, nine people died and thousands were forced to evacuate.
08:03 - Incredible footage shows massive column soaring into air
Incredible footage from Indonesia this morning shows the massive column of ash billowing into the air above Bali.
07:59 - Australian flights to Bali cancelled
Australians getting ready for a Bali holiday will have been left disappointed this morning, as the Lewotobi eruption has caused the cancellations of at least five return international flights operating between the the nation and Indonesia.
A series of others have been delayed this morning, with a spokesperson for Virgin Australia saying the airlines services were among those impacted.
They told ABC: "Some Virgin Australia Bali services have been cancelled following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi earlier today.
"The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority and our team of expert meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation and ash cloud activity.
"We regret the impact of this on guests' travel plans and encourage guests travelling to or from Bali to closely monitor their flight status via the Virgin Australia website or app."
07:53 - No immediate reports of damage or deaths
Local authorities are yet to report any damage or deaths in the wake of this morning's dramatic eruption.
07:51 - Officials issue volcanic mudflow warning
In its update this morning, the volcanology agency of Indonesia warned that heavy rain could create hazards for people living near the volcano.
Among them are lahar floods, which are fast-flowing mud or debris flows that pour down from the volcano to communities set along rivers.
07:43 - Pictures show incredible scale of eruption
New pictures taken at the scene this morning show the incredible scale of the eruption at the volcano.
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)The volcanic cloud ejected by the highly active volcano has reached tens of thousands of feet high in a very short period of time, with cameras capturing the point from which the material emanates.
07:36 - First statement from Indonesian volcano agency
The Volcanological Agency of Indonesia has issued its first statement following the eruption, saying a massive ash cloud has been observed tens of thousands of miles from the summit.
The organisation said: "An eruption of Lewotobi Laki-Laki Volcano occurred ... with the observed ash column height reaching approximately 18,000m above the summit."