On the night of November 4, 2024, the Lewotobi volcano, located on the eastern part of Flores Island, Indonesia, awoke with a violent explosion. Fireballs and glowing material reached the surrounding villages, surprising the population in their sleep.
The event claimed at least nine lives and left more than ten thousand people homeless. The diocesan seminary itself and the convent of the Passionist nuns were heavily damaged by the event.
Friars and nuns in the area are coordinating to deal with the emergency. They are welcoming evacuees to convents, distributing basic necessities, assisting the injured and planning long-term interventions to support the local community.
The OFM Fraternitas Foundation is following developments and supporting the friars in dealing with the emergency.
