Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Indonesia’s Flores Island erupted again early Saturday, blasting a column of ash roughly 18 kilometres into the atmosphere in one of the country’s largest volcanic events in years. The overnight eruption followed another powerful outburst late Friday that sent debris 10 kilometres high and lit the sky with volcanic lightning. Indonesia’s Geological Agency said searing gas clouds and rocks travelled up to 5 kilometres down the slopes, while thumb-sized gravel fell on communities as far as 8 kilometres from the crater. The volcano, kept at its highest alert level since 18 June, showed deep magma movement and continuous tremors, but authorities reported no casualties. Volcanic ash drifted into Labuan Bajo’s airspace by midday Saturday, prompting meteorological officials to warn of possible flight disruptions. The Chinese Consulate-General in Denpasar urged its nationals in affected areas to heed local advisories and take safety precautions as officials monitored the risk of rain-triggered lahars along nearby rivers.