Play store
Indonesia’s main international airport in Jakarta, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, temporarily suspended operations on Sunday (September 6) after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau spread into the area.
Located more than 150 kilometres from the airport, Anak Krakatau began erupting on Saturday, according to the country’s geological agency. The eruption sent lava flowing from the volcano and produced loud explosions that could reportedly be heard from as far as 700 kilometres away.
The country’s volcanology agency said two more eruptions were recorded on Sunday.
Airport authorities suspended operations at around 1:30am local time after volcanic ash was detected in the airspace around the airport. Following further tests confirming the presence of ash, the suspension was extended until 9:30am on Sunday.
The Transport Ministry said more than 22,000 passengers were affected by the airport closure, while 209 flights were cancelled or disrupted.
Flights to and from Singapore were among the worst affected. International services to Doha, Sydney and Kuala Lumpur were also disrupted.
Anak Krakatau is located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra. Its name means “Child of Krakatoa.” The volcano emerged from the crater formed after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Krakatoa in 1883.
The 1883 eruption is considered one of the deadliest and most destructive natural disasters in history, killing an estimated 35,000 people.
Indonesia lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where the collision of tectonic plates makes the country highly prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.