6 Airports Closed as Mount Anak Krakatau Eruption Hits Flights

Early Sunday, Mount Anak Krakatau in Indonesia erupted, sending volcanic ash across parts of western Indonesia and halting flight operations at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The airport initially suspended services until 5:30 am but extended the halt until 9:30 am. Indonesian authorities reported that the eruption disrupted 209 flights, including several international services, and prompted passengers to seek refunds and collect checked baggage.

The eruption had been ongoing since late Friday. Volcanic ash clouds reached altitudes of 20,000 feet and 50,000 feet, drifting towards Jakarta, Banten, West Java, Banten, Lampung, Bengkulu, and the southern Sunda Strait. Anak Krakatau, located between Java and Sumatra, showed increased activity before erupting at 3:53 am. The eruption lasted approximately 30 seconds and occurred without immediate casualties or an evacuation order.

However, officials advised people to remain at least 3 kilometers away from the volcano's active crater.

Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency urged residents in affected areas to wear masks and eye protection, limit outdoor activities, cover water sources, and exercise caution while driving due to reduced visibility from ashfall. The ash also impacted daily life, including school activities and fishing operations. Schools canceled events as students and residents experienced eye irritation, and fishermen called off fishing trips.

Anak Krakatau, meaning "Child of Krakatau," emerged around a century ago in the area previously occupied by Krakatau, infamous for its 1883 eruption that caused numerous tsunamis and killed over 36,000 people. In 2018, Anak Krakatau caused another deadly tsunami, resulting in at least 430 deaths. The latest eruption has not led to an evacuation order, but Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency reported no imminent tsunami risk as of Saturday.

The nation's location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire" contributes to its numerous active volcanoes, and the current activity has drawn renewed attention to Anak Krakatau's history of dangerous volcanic collapses and tsunamis.