At least nine people died after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Flores Island, Nusa Tenggara province, eastern Indonesia erupted on November 3.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Flores Island, Nusa Tenggara province, eastern Indonesia erupts on November 3. (Photo: Detiknews)

Local authorities raised the status of the volcano to the highest level – Level 4 and evacuated residents in a 7-km radius area.

The eruption was recorded at 11:57 pm (local time). It spewed explosive plumes of lava, and was followed by heavy rain and thunder.

Volcanic ash and molten rock spewed from the crater fell on residential areas about 4 km away from the crater, burning and damaging people's homes and causing blackout. Seven villages have been affected by the eruption, according to local authorities.

These villages are covered in a thick layer of volcanic ash. Authorities are still collecting data on the number of evacuees and damaged buildings.

Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of high seismic activity atop multiple tectonic plates. The latest event follows a series of eruptions of different volcanoes across the country.

In May, Mount Ibu - a volcano on the remote island of Halmahera caused the evacuation of people from seven villages. In the same month, North Sulawesi's Ruang volcano also erupted and prompted authorities to evacuate more than 12,000 people.

Source: VNA