170,000 Passengers Stranded as Indonesian Volcano Ash Closes Eight Airports Amid Natural Disasters
Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia erupted over the weekend amid natural disasters, spreading volcanic ash that forced the closure of eight airports including Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta, stranding around 170,000 passengers and prompting health warnings for 3.3 million elderly residents in affected areas. [1] [3] [5]
Eruption Disrupts Air Travel Across Western Indonesia Amid Natural Disasters
Indonesia cancelled all flights at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after the Anak Krakatau volcano erupted, affecting thousands of passengers. [1] Flight operations at domestic airports were also disrupted, stranding around 170,000 passengers as volcanic ash spread across parts of western Indonesia. [1] [5] According to Indonesia’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, the eruption led to the spread of volcanic ash across parts of Jakarta and Lampung province in Sumatra, prompting AirNav Indonesia to close airspace around Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma airports in Jakarta, as well as six other airports. [1] The Indonesian government has extended operational hours at several alternative airports to 24 hours to maintain passenger mobility following the closure of eight airports due to Mount Anak Krakatau’s eruption. [4] The designated alternative facilities include Kertajati Airport in Majalengka, Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang, Juanda Airport in Surabaya, Yogyakarta International Airport, and Adi Soemarmo Airport in Solo. [4] Transport minister Dudy Purwagandhi said the government decided to temporarily shut additional airports after tests showed that volcanic ash had moved towards West Java. [1] He called on airlines to speed up ticket refunds for passengers affected by cancellations and ensure that people with upcoming flights receive information promptly, helping prevent overcrowding at airports. [1] The Transportation Ministry and InJourney Airports are coordinating ground transit, providing free train and bus services to transfer stranded passengers from Soekarno-Hatta Airport to alternative hubs across Java. [4] Airports closed due to ash risks include Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta, and Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung. [4] Operations are also suspended at Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung; Budiarto Airport in Curug, Tangerang; Pondok Cabe Airport in South Tangerang; Taufik Kiemas Airport in Pesisir Barat, Lampung; and Atung Bungsu Airport in Pagar Alam, South Sumatra. [4] The government originally scheduled closures through 11:59 p.m. local time on Sunday before extending the deadline to 9:00 a.m. Monday. [4] Seven Indonesian airports, including two serving Jakarta, remained closed on Monday afternoon because of volcanic ash from eruptions of Mount Anak Krakatau. [5] The transport ministry said that 170,000 people have been affected by flight cancellations. [5] Singapore Airlines is among the airlines affected, with 18 flights cancelled on Monday. [5] Another flight departing Jakarta on early Tuesday was also cancelled. [5]
Ash Clouds Reach High Altitudes Over Multiple Provinces
Two ash clouds were identified by the country's volcanology agency and the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, using satellite imagery, with one rising to 6,100 meters that headed northeast over Jakarta, Banten, West Java and nearby waters. [1] Another reached 15,200 meters and spread over parts of Banten, Lampung and Bengkulu provinces. [1] The eruptions have sent ash as high as 6,000m on the Java side of the volcano and 15,000m on the Sumatra side, and in some parts of Banten province in Java, the meteorological agency BMKG posted on its website. [5] Ash from Anak Krakatau, which sits halfway between Java and Sumatra islands, has blanketed Jakarta and several surrounding areas since it erupted late on Friday. [5] On Sunday, the disaster agency urged people to wear masks when travelling outdoors because of the ash. [5] In Jakarta and Lampung, schools will use remote learning to counter health risks for students. [5]
Volcano Returns to Strombolian Activity After 25-Hour Eruption
Badan Geologi Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (ESDM) memastikan episode erupsi menerus Gunung Anak Krakatau di Selat Sunda telah berakhir. [2] Aktivitas erupsi tersebut berlangsung selama sekitar 25 jam. [2] Kepala Badan Geologi Lana Saria menjelaskan, erupsi menerus Gunung Anak Krakatau dimulai pada Jumat, 4 September 2026 pukul 23.07 WIB dan berakhir pada Minggu, 6 September 2026 pukul 00.04 WIB. [2] Meski fase erupsi panjang telah selesai, kondisi Gunung Anak Krakatau belum sepenuhnya aman. [2] Aktivitas gunung api tersebut kini kembali menunjukkan karakteristik erupsi strombolian. [2] "Pasca-berakhirnya episode tersebut, aktivitas vulkanik Gunung Anak Krakatau bertransisi kembali ke karakteristik erupsi strombolian yang ditandai dengan perekaman tiga kali gempa letusan/erupsi strombolian," kata Lana dalam laporan evaluasi perkembangan aktivitas Gunung Anak Krakatau yang diterima di Jakarta, Senin 7 September 2026. [2] Pemantauan pada periode 6 hingga 7 September 2026 menunjukkan Gunung Anak Krakatau masih mengalami sejumlah aktivitas kegempaan. [2] Badan Geologi mencatat tiga kali gempa erupsi, sembilan kali gempa hembusan, 93 kali gempa low frequency, 98 kali gempa hybrid atau fase banyak, empat kali gempa tremor menerus, serta satu kali gempa vulkanik dangkal. [2] Grafik perataan amplitudo RSAM atau Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement yang sebelumnya mengalami peningkatan tajam pada 5 September 2026 mulai memperlihatkan tren penurunan sejak sehari kemudian. [2] Dari sisi deformasi, data tiltmeter Stasiun Tanjung menunjukkan adanya indikasi inflasi tipis sejak awal Agustus 2026. [2] Data dari Stasiun Lava93 masih memperlihatkan pola yang relatif konstan. [2] Berdasarkan hasil evaluasi tersebut, Badan Geologi belum menurunkan status aktivitas Gunung Anak Krakatau. [2] Gunung api tersebut masih berada pada Level III atau Siaga. [2]
Health Risks Heightened for Elderly in Ash-Affected Zones
Indonesia's Ministry of Health said some 3.3 million elderly people in areas surrounding Anak Krakatau volcano, including Banten, South Lampung, Jakarta, and parts of West Java, face health risks from volcanic ash. [3] "The sharp silica particles contained in volcanic ash make it dangerous to the lungs, eyes, and skin. When mixed with water, the ash can harden like cement, so improper cleaning can actually increase the risks," the ministry's Director of Health Services for Vulnerable Groups, Imran Pambudi, said here on Monday. [3] Pambudi stressed that exposure to volcanic ash can cause several health problems, including acute respiratory infections, breathing difficulties, and exacerbation of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). [3] It can also increase cardiovascular risks, including the risk of heart attacks and strokes. [3] According to Pambudi, the effects of volcanic ash can be felt immediately, while smoke from forest and land fires tends to have a longer-term impact on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. [3] "The eyes can become sore, watery, and easily irritated, while the skin can become itchy and inflamed. Elderly people may also experience confusion and reduced concentration following prolonged exposure. Trauma from sudden evacuation and social isolation can add to the psychological burden," he added. [3] People need to use masks and protective eyewear, seal any openings in homes to prevent the ashes from getting in, and clean the ashes properly. [3] He also reminded families and caregivers of the elderly to ensure medications remain readily available, monitor any warning signs, and provide emotional support. [3] Moreover, healthcare facilities need to provide oxygen concentrators, medications, salves, eyedrops, and ready personnel for emergency evacuations. [3]
Officials Maintain Heightened Alert and Monitoring
Lana Saria, head of Indonesia’s geological agency, said activity at Anak Krakatau has increased since July, with Sunday’s eruption being the strongest recorded during that period. [1] She said the repeated eruptions suggest that magma and volcanic gases continue to be supplied from beneath the volcano, although officials cannot determine whether a larger eruption will take place. [1] “We continue to evaluate the volcano’s development based on all monitoring data, not solely on the number of eruptions or the height of the ash column,” Saria said in a video briefing. [1] According to Saria, the primary hazards include volcanic ash, high concentrations of gas, and the expulsion of hot rocks and other material near the crater. [1] “Safety remains our top priority in every operational decision,” Lukman F. Laisa, general of civil aviation, said in a statement. [1] He cautioned that flight schedules could experience cascading disruptions as airlines seek to resume services, potentially affecting aircraft rotations, fleet availability and terminal capacity. [1] "We cannot ascertain when this will end due to the dynamic weather," Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said in a statement on Monday, adding that the eight airports, which included the ones serving Jakarta's nearby provinces of Lampung and West Java, would remain closed until at least 8.59am. [5] With status Level III or Siaga, masyarakat hingga wisatawan diminta tidak mendekati kawasan kawah aktif Gunung Anak Krakatau. [2] Badan Geologi merekomendasikan agar tidak ada aktivitas masyarakat, wisatawan maupun pendaki dalam radius tiga kilometer dari kawah aktif. [2] Ancaman yang perlu diwaspadai antara lain lontaran batu pijar, awan panas, aliran lava hingga hujan abu dengan intensitas lebat. [2]
What to watch next: The volcano monitoring agency's website showed the most recent Anak Krakatau eruption occurred on Sunday at 8.23pm, with officials continuing to evaluate monitoring data and hazards such as ashfall, gas, hot rocks, lava flows and possible subsequent explosions remaining in place. [1] [2] [5]
