Indonesia volcano eruption leaves several dead, stranded: Video

The eruption, which occurred just after midnight, spewed thick ash and fiery lava, setting houses ablaze and forcing the evacuation of several nearby villages.

The fiery lava and rocks hit settlements within a 4-kilometre radius, causing a power outage and heavy rain, adding to the residents' panic.

The eruption has affected over 10,000 people in the Wulanggitang District, with six villages—Pululera, Nawokote, Hokeng Jaya, Klatanlo, Boru, and Boru Kedang—being the hardest hit.

According to Petrus Muda Turan, the village head of Klatanlo, there was no sign of an eruption.

"At that time, most of the villagers were sleeping. We were not aware the volcano was erupting. It started with the sounds of thunder then lightning, followed by rain. So we thought it was just normal, rain came with thunder and lightning," he told AFP.

Abdul Muhari, the spokesman for Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency BNPB, confirmed the death toll at a news conference, noting that 10,295 people had been affected by the eruptions. He mentioned that the number of evacuees was still being determined.

The East Flores Regional Disaster Management Agency has raised the alert status to its highest level and recommended a 7-kilometre evacuation radius around the volcano.

Indonesia, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The country has experienced several significant volcanic events in recent years, highlighting the ongoing risk to its population.