Mt Lewotobi Laki Laki: At least 10 killed after volcano erupts on Indonesian island of Flores

At least 10 people have been killed after a volcano erupted in Indonesia, sending thick ash high into the air and raining down on nearby houses.

The eruption at Mt Lewotobi Laki Laki, on the island of Flores, just after midnight on Monday, spewed thick brownish ash as high as 2,000m (6,500ft) into the sky.

Several houses caught fire, including a convent of Catholic nuns, local official Firman Yosef said.

Rescuers are looking for more bodies under collapsed houses.

Those killed so far, including a child, were found with a 2.4 mile radius of the crater.

At least 10,000 people have been affected by the eruption in six villages of Wulanggitang district and four in Ile Bura district.

The local government is preparing to use schools as temporary shelters for those affected.

The danger level was increased to its highest level and the exclusion zone more than doubled.

A nun in the village of Hokeng died and another was missing, head of the Saint Gabriel Foundation Agusta Palma confirmed.

Photos and videos shared on social media showed volcanic debris covering houses up to their rooftops in villages like Hokeng.

It is Indonesia’s second volcanic eruption in a fortnight.

Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, one of the country’s most active volcanoes, erupted on 27 October, but no casualties were reported.