Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano erupted early Sunday, forcing authorities to close airspace around several airports, including Jakarta’s main international gateway, and disrupting travel for thousands of passengers.
Indonesia’s Geological Agency said Anak Krakatau, located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra, had shown increased activity since Friday before erupting at 3:53 a.m. Sunday.
The eruption lasted about 30 seconds, while closed-circuit camera footage captured lava flaring from the volcano.
No casualties were reported and authorities did not order evacuations. The nearest settlement is more than 16 kilometers, or 10 miles, from the volcano. However, residents and visitors were warned to remain at least three kilometers, or two miles, away from the active crater.
Volcanic ash spread across parts of Jakarta and Lampung province on the southern tip of Sumatra, according to Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation.
AirNav Indonesia subsequently closed affected airspace around Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, along with four other airports, including Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung.
By mid-afternoon Sunday, the disruption had affected 516 flight movements nationwide. At Soekarno-Hatta alone, 202 flights involving approximately 22,800 passengers were affected.
Authorities ordered Soekarno-Hatta to remain closed until at least 5:30 p.m. as officials continued monitoring the movement of volcanic ash.
Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation said it was closely monitoring the eruption’s impact on air travel and coordinating with airlines, airport operators, air navigation services and the country’s meteorological agency.
Officials said aviation restrictions would continue to be assessed based on volcanic activity and the direction of the ash cloud.
























