An eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau forced the suspension of flight operations at six airports on Sunday, stranding hundreds of passengers at the country’s main airport near Jakarta after volcanic ash spread across parts of western Indonesia.
Jakarta’s Main Airport Hit Hardest
Soekarno-Hatta International Airport suspended operations until 1:30pm local time due to volcanic ash, though the suspension was extended several times throughout the day, affecting 301 flights, including 58 international ones, according to Al Jazeera and airport operator Angkasa Pura. Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines both canceled flights to and from Jakarta for the remainder of the day.
Indonesia’s transport ministry named three alternative airports across Java, Kertajati, Ahmad Yani and Juanda, for airlines able to divert flights, according to the Oman Observer.
Volcano Has Been Erupting Since Friday
Anak Krakatau, located roughly halfway between Java and Sumatra in the Sunda Strait, began erupting late Friday, producing a fountain of lava and booming sounds heard up to 700 kilometers away, according to the meteorological agency BMKG. The volcano has been on the second highest alert level since July 2.
Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency said there is no imminent tsunami risk from the eruption, and no evacuation order has been issued, with the nearest settlement more than 16 kilometers from the crater, according to Reuters via Emirates 24/7.
Memories of the 2018 Disaster Linger
Anak Krakatau, whose name means “child of Krakatau,” emerged a century ago from the caldera left by the catastrophic 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, one of the deadliest volcanic events in recorded history. A 2018 eruption at Anak Krakatau triggered a partial crater collapse and a tsunami that killed more than 400 people along the coasts of Java and Sumatra.
Authorities have urged vessels in the Sunda Strait to stay at least three kilometers from the crater, and residents near the ash fall have been advised to wear masks and eye protection and limit outdoor activity.
Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency spokesperson Berton Panjaitan urged the public to remain calm while increasing vigilance, advising residents to reduce outdoor activities, cover water sources, and exercise caution while driving given the reduced visibility caused by ash fall. Ferries in the Sunda Strait were reported to be operating normally despite the eruption, according to the transport ministry.
