Kathmandu— A volcanic eruption on the island of Anak Krakatau in Indonesia early Sunday led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and ashfall in several provinces, affecting over 170,000 passengers. The eruption, which showed signs of activity since Friday, resulted in the closure of eight airports until Monday morning, disrupting travel plans and causing inconvenience to travelers.

Government Response and Safety Concerns

Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation closely monitored the eruption’s impact on air travel and coordinated with airlines, airport operators, air navigation services, and the meteorology agency. The Ministry of Transportation director general of civil aviation, Lukman F. Laisa, emphasized safety as the top priority. The eruption’s repeated activity indicated a continued supply of magma and volcanic gases beneath the volcano, but officials could not predict a larger eruption. The main hazards included volcanic ash, high gas concentrations, and the ejection of hot rocks and other material around the crater area.

The eruption and its aftermath continue to be monitored, with authorities working to restore air travel and address the impact on local communities.

(With inputs from AP)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.