Volcanic eruption destroys convent in Indonesia, casualties reported

The aftermath of the volcanic eruption. Photo: AP

On November 3, a volcanic eruption destroyed a Catholic monastery in Indonesia, resulting in the death of one nun and another staff member of the Catholic convent missing, reports The Independent.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a twin volcano located on the popular tourist island of Flores, spewed thick brown ash as high as 2km (6,500 feet) into the air overnight on Sunday, with hot ash landing on several nearby villages.

The volcano erupted several times, leading officials to increase its alert status to the highest level and doubling the exclusion zone to a 7km (4.3 mile) radius.

“Our nuns ran out in panic under a rain of volcanic ash in the darkness,” said Agusta Palma, the head of the Saint Gabriel Foundation that oversees convents on the majority-Catholic island.

Sister Nicoline Pajo, a missionary of the Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) from the Hokeng convent, died as a result of the eruption.

According to the Associated Press, another nun went missing as the sisters fled to escape the volcanic ash.

The San Domingo Minor Seminary in Hokeng, located less than four miles from the crater in Wulanggitang District, was also affected. Fourteen residents of the seminary sustained injuries.

According to an online news portal, approximately 70% of Flores Island's 2 million residents are Catholic. The island is home to over 2,700 Catholic churches, as well as St. Peter’s Seminary, which is considered the largest Catholic seminary in the world by student enrollment.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the strongest earthquake in two months struck Mount Athos on September 22, 2024.

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