Volcanic eruption has halted hundreds of flights at Indonesia’s main international airport, stranding tens of thousands of passengers.
Authorities suspended 209 flights after thick ash from the Anak Krakatau volcano drifted into the airspace near Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Sunday morning. The disruption has impacted more than 22,000 travelers, with cancellations affecting major routes to Singapore, Doha, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur.
The volcano began erupting late Friday night, sending lava fountains into the air and creating loud, booming sounds across the surrounding region. Two more eruptions followed early Sunday. While officials have confirmed there is no tsunami warning, the heavy ashfall has caused immediate problems on the ground.
The health minister has urged residents in affected areas to stay indoors and wear face masks to protect against respiratory and eye irritation. Local schools have cancelled classes, and fishermen have been forced to keep their boats on the shore.
One resident, Aldi Candra Prayogi, described the constant ashfall to local media. He said it felt like “small grains of sand had gotten into my eyes,” forcing him to use eye drops and sweep the front yard of his house every five minutes just to keep the dust at bay.
Anak Krakatau, which means “Child of Krakatoa,” has a dangerous history. It emerged from the sea in the early 20th century inside the crater left by the massive 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatoa. In 2018, a partial collapse of the volcano triggered a deadly tsunami that killed over 400 people along the nearby coastlines of Java and Sumatra.
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Indonesia sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of constant seismic and volcanic activity. Scientists continue to monitor the volcano closely, knowing how quickly its behavior can change.
For the travelers stuck in the terminal and the families sweeping ash from their doorsteps, the reality is simple: nature sets the schedule, and everyone else just has to wait.
Promise Idoko is Junior Reporter working with moderncrux He covers global politics and international affairs. Based in Nigeria,
