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Indonesia’s Soekarno–Hatta International Airport suspended flight operations on Sunday after an eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano.
Mount Anak Krakatoa began erupting on Saturday, producing a lava fountain and “booming sounds and tremors” that were reported by residents in several parts of the country, according to Indonesia’s geology agency.
Authorities suspended operations at the airport from 1:30 am local time on Sunday morning after ash from the volcano was detected in the airspace surrounding the airport.
“The latest paper test…showed positive results indicating the spread of volcanic ash in the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport area, consequently the airport closure was extended until Sunday at 09:30 am (0230 GMT),” Indonesia’s transport ministry said in a statement.
More than 22,000 passengers have been affected by the suspension, the ministry said, with 209 flights impacted, in particular to and from Singapore.
Routes to destinations including Doha, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur have also been affected. At least 16 domestic flights to Bali were also cancelled, per local airport authorities.
Anak Krakatoa is an active volcano that sits in the Sunda Strait, between the islands of Java and Sumatra.
This is a developing story. Check back here for further details.
Additional sources • AFP