False Alarm on East Nusa Tenggara Volcano
Jakarta. Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency BNPB said on Wednesday (11/10) there is no indication that Mount Ile Lewotolok in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara, will erupt despite several earthquakes rocking the area on Tuesday.
"Volcanic activity at Ile Lewotolok has not increased, there's little chance of eruption," BNPB spokesman Sutopo Nugroho said in a statement.
The agency recorded at least five quakes on Tuesday, with magnitudes ranging from 3.9 to 4.9 on the Richter scale, terrifying residents living near the mountain.
More than 700 people from Waimatan, Lamawolo, Napasabok and Lamabute left their homes in a hurry, fearing for their safety.
Sutopo said at least five homes were damaged by the quakes. Fleeing residents are now being housed in several shelters in the area. A team from BNPB has been dispatched to help local government agencies handle the situation.
Mt. Ile Lewotolok erupted six times in the 1800s. The last time it erupted was in 1920, Sutopo said.
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