Volcano eruption leaves 150,000 passengers stranded in Indonesia

More than 150,000 passengers found themselves stranded in Indonesia after a volcanic eruption prompted Indonesian authorities to halt operations at eight airports. Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport initially closed after ash from Anak Krakatau was detected, affecting 712 flights so far. The volcano erupted late Friday night, causing continuous seismic activity, lava fountains, and booming sounds.

Two additional eruptions occurred early Saturday, as reported by authorities. The transport minister, Dudy Purwagandhi, emphasized that the airport closures impacted routes to and from Singapore, as well as international routes such as Doha, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur. Purwagandhi urged airlines to expedite ticket refunds for affected passengers and to provide timely updates to those with upcoming flights to prevent overcrowding.

The Indonesian meteorological agency BMKG reported that ash reached heights of 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) east of the volcano and 50,000 feet (15,000 meters) west. Health officials urged residents to stay indoors and wear face masks to protect against respiratory, eye, and skin risks. Schools and fishing trips were canceled due to ash irritations.

Anak Krakatau, also known as Child of Krakatoa, has been intermittently active since emerging from the sea in the early 1900s following the 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatoa. The volcano collapsed in 2018, leading to a massive tsunami that killed over 400 people and displaced thousands more along the coasts of Sumatra and Java.