Indonesia’s Anak Krakatoa volcano erupts, disrupting flights at 6 airports

Indonesia's Anak Krakatoa volcano erupted on Sunday, disrupting flights at six airports and impacting thousands of passengers. The geology agency reported that Mount Anak Krakatoa erupted on Saturday, producing a lava fountain and loud explosions audible 700km away. On Sunday, two additional eruptions were recorded. Ash from the volcano was detected in the airspace surrounding Soekarno-Hatta International Airport outside Jakarta, leading to a suspension of operations between 1:30am and 5:30am local time.

The suspension was extended by four hours due to heightened volcanic activity. Over 22,000 passengers were affected, with 209 flights impacted, particularly those to and from Singapore. Other international routes affected included Doha, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur, as well as 16 domestic flights to and from Bali. Ships passing through the strait separating Java and Sumatra were urged to remain vigilant for potential navigation disruptions.

The volcano, which has been intermittently active since its emergence from the sea in the early 20th century, is situated in a caldera formed after the 1883 Krakatoa eruption, one of the deadliest in history. While the latest eruptions do not pose a tsunami threat, geology officials cautioned against approaching Anak Krakatoa due to the danger of materials ejected from the volcano.