At least 10 people, including a Catholic nun, have been killed in a volcanic eruption on Indonesia’s predominantly Catholic Flores Island. Source: UCA News.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in the Wulanggitang subdistrict in East Flores Regency spewed ash and lava on November 3, peppering the surrounding areas with fireballs.
Sr Nikolin Padjo of the Servants of the Holy Spirit congregation died when her convent in Boru collapsed during the eruption.
Her colleague, Sr Sinta Eren, said Sr Padjo, head of the monastery in Boru, was found dead.
“It’s so sad; she was happy last night,” Sr Eren said, referring to the recreational activities Sr Padjo participated in with her colleagues before the fatal incident.
San Dominggo Hokeng Middle Seminary in the Wulanggitang district was among the damaged buildings.
Several seminarians were injured.
Some Church institutions, including the Society of Divine Word’s Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Commission, are mobilising funds to help the victims.
Government authorities have evacuated several villages and hiked the alert level in a four-tiered system to the highest.
The National Disaster Management Agency said nine bodies have been identified.
One victim is still hidden in the massive debris.
In January, the mountain experienced several significant eruptions, prompting authorities to raise the alert status to the highest and evacuate at least 2000 residents.
Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent volcanic eruptions due to its position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of intense volcanic and seismic activity.
FULL STORY
Catholic nun among 10 killed in Indonesia volcano eruption (UCA News)
