KUALA LUMPUR – AirAsia has rescheduled multiple flights following the latest eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Ruang, triggering high alerts.
According to a recent update on X, the airline said the affected AirAsia flights include those between Kuala Lumpur and Tawau (AK5751 and AK5752), as well as flights between Kota Kinabalu and Tawau (AK6270 and AK6271).
These changes are effective as of 3pm today.
Flight statuses can also be checked by clicking here.
“We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide more information on the latest developments,” AirAsia said.
The Ruang volcano spewed explosive incandescent lava into the night sky this morning as lightning flashes lit up its crater.
This prompted authorities to raise the alert status and warn of a possible tsunami, Reuters reported.
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation warned residents living on Tagulandang Island, the island closest to the volcano, that a tsunami could be triggered by volcanic material collapsing into the ocean.
The recent eruption follows a series of eruptions earlier this month that forced hundreds to evacuate and the airport in the provincial capital of Manado to close. This also caused damage to some homes.
Ruang Island is about 100km from Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi Province, in the north-central region of the sprawling Indonesian archipelago.
It is home to more than 800 residents, most of whom evacuated following the recent eruptions.
The eruption corresponded with a spike in seismic activity and deep volcanic earthquakes, Indonesia’s disaster agency said. – April 30, 2024