Jakarta, October 15 (QNA) - Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) reported that Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted Wednesday, sending ash up to 10 km into the sky, and prompting authorities to issue the highest-level aviation alert.

PVMBG said in a statement that the volcano, located in East Nusa Tenggara province, erupted for about nine minutes this morning and had erupted two hours earlier, spewing ash up to nine km into the sky.

The Head of PVMBG said the alert level was raised to its highest level late last night after extremely high volcanic activity was recorded since Monday. PVMBG also advised residents to stay away from the area for six to seven km.

The volcano has erupted several times in recent months, including an eruption in early July that sent ash 18 km into the air and disrupted flights to and from the nearby tourist island of Bali. (QNA)