A volcanic eruption at Mount Anak Krakatoa in Indonesia has disrupted air travel, with more than 200 domestic and international flights cancelled or delayed from Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
The volcano erupted late Friday night, sending lava high into the air and spreading large ash clouds. Flight operations at the airport were temporarily suspended as authorities monitored the situation.
Ash clouds reportedly reached around 20,000 feet toward Java and more than 50,000 feet toward Sumatra and Banten province. Several schools in affected areas have also suspended educational activities.
Residents have reported eye irritation and respiratory problems following the ashfall. Indonesia’s disaster management agency BNPB urged people to remain calm and take precautions, including wearing face masks, protecting their eyes, limiting outdoor activities, covering water supplies and driving carefully.
Authorities said there was currently no tsunami threat from the eruption.
Anak Krakatoa emerged in the sea after the major Krakatoa eruption in the 1920s. The volcano has remained active for decades. In 2018, a major eruption caused part of the volcano to collapse, triggering a tsunami that killed more than 400 people along the coasts of Java and Sumatra.
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