The 1,584m volcano, situated on Flores island, is part of a twin-peaked formation with the taller and less active Mount Lewotobi Perempuan. The eruption occurred at 11.05am local time, according to Indonesia’s volcanology agency, which noted that clouds of searing gas cascaded down the slopes during the blast.

Multiple return international flights between Australia and Bali have been cancelled due to the eruption of Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano for a second time in as many months.