In brief
A sudden eruption of Mount Anak Krakatoa erupted ash into the airspace over Jakarta’s Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport, causing authorities to suspend 209 flights and leave tens of thousands of passengers stranded. The volcanic activity began late Friday night and continued with two more explosions early Sunday. Transport officials extended flight cancellations until 13:30 local time, with routes to Singapore, Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur largely affected. There is no tsunami warning, but residents are urged to stay indoors and wear masks to protect against ash. Indonesia, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, frequently experiences seismic and volcanic activity.
A volcanic eruption has halted hundreds of flights at Indonesia’s main international airport, stranding tens of thousands of passengers.
Authorities announced that 209 flights were suspended after ash from Mount Anak Krakatoa entered the airspace near Jakarta’s Soekarno‑Hatta International Airport on Sunday morning.
The volcano began erupting late on Friday night, producing continuous seismic activity, lava fountains and booming sounds across the region. Two additional eruptions occurred early Sunday, the ministry said.
More than 22,000 people have been impacted by the suspension of flights, which has been extended until 13:30 local time.
The transport ministry noted that the pause mainly affected routes to and from Singapore, as well as other international flights to Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur.
There is no tsunami warning tied to the volcano’s recent activity, which is located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra.
The health minister urged residents in affected areas to stay indoors and wear face masks to protect against respiratory, eye and skin risks.
Anak Krakatoa, meaning “Child of Krakatoa”, has been sporadically active since it emerged from the sea at the start of last century in the caldera left by the 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatoa.
Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of high volcanic and seismic activity.
