A volcano in eastern Indonesia has erupted, sending ash and fireballs into nearby villages, burning down several houses. At least 10 people have died.
The Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera reported on Monday (November 4).
Authorities said that Mount Leotobi Laki-Laki, two volcanoes located at an altitude of 1,703 meters (5,587 feet) on the popular tourist island of Flores, began erupting after midnight on Monday. Villagers were then ordered to evacuate. But many did not obey. Several houses later burned down, killing 10 people.
Abdul Muhari, a spokesman for the country's disaster mitigation agency, confirmed the death toll at a news conference. He said that 10,295 people were affected by the eruption. It is not yet clear how many have been rescued. The toll is still rising.
The country's volcanology agency has raised the alert level to the highest level and has asked locals and tourists to avoid activities within a seven-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius of the eruption.
A press release from the agency on Monday said there has been a "significant increase in volcanic activity at Mount Leotobi Laki-Laki."
It warned that rain could increase lava flows and urged locals to wear masks to avoid exposure to volcanic ash.
The mountain had several major eruptions in January, prompting authorities to issue the highest level of alert at the time and urge at least 2,000 residents to evacuate.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, is prone to frequent eruptions due to its location on the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire." It is an area prone to intense volcanoes and earthquakes.