Inp.polri.go.id - Labuan Bajo. Gewayantana Airport in Larantuka, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), was temporarily closed on Thursday(25/9/2025) due to volcanic ash from Mount Ili Lewotolok’s eruption in neighboring Lembata.

“Gewayantana Airport has been closed due to volcanic ash from Mount Lewotolok,” said Puguh Lukito, the Head of the Gewayantana Airport Authority, as reported by antaranews.com. 

He confirmed the eruption affected the airspace around the airport, disrupting the Kupang–Larantuka flight route.

According to MAGMA Indonesia, the volcano recorded 52 eruption quakes and 51 emission quakes in just six hours on Thursday evening, alongside harmonic and non-harmonic tremors. Authorities have maintained Ili Lewotolok’s alert level at III (Siaga).

Residents and visitors have been warned to stay at least three kilometers away from the crater and to remain alert for lava flows, rockfalls, and pyroclastic surges. Loud rumbling sounds and tremors were reported but deemed consistent with the eruption phase.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)