Mount Egon increases volcanic activity

Mount Egon in Sikka regency, Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara has been spewing fumes and hot material from its craters, prompting local authorities to caution local residents.

Yoseph Suryanto, head of Mount Egon Monitoring Post, said Thursday that the volcano has been having more volcanic earthquakes, with the numbers jumping from 1 to 4 times a day to 5 to 10 times a day.

“Residents living on its slopes have been told to stay away from the crater,” he said.

Mount Egon is located 30 kilometers from Maumere, the capital of Sikka regency.

Mount Egon has been listed among 11 volcanoes in Indonesia that currently under the third level of four-tier level alert. The volcanoes are Anak Krakatau in Lampung, Papandayan in West Java, Semeru, Ijen and Bromo in East Java, Dukono and Ibu in Maluke, Karangetang, Awu and Lokon in North Sulawesi.