07.09.2026 07:10
Explosions at Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia caused major panic. Volcanic ash rising from the volcano reached 50,000 feet, approximately 15 kilometers in height. The ash cloud spreading over a wide area also affected air travel. Flights were suspended at 8 airports, including Soekarno-Hatta in Jakarta, and 1,558 flights were canceled or delayed.
Anak Krakatau volcano, located in the Sunda Strait between Indonesia's Java and Sumatra islands, has become active again. Volcanic activity began on Friday night and continued over the weekend, with ash clouds rising from the volcano spreading over a wide area.
Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) announced that two distinct layers of volcanic ash were detected in satellite imagery. One of the ash clouds was determined to have reached an altitude of approximately 20,000 feet, while the other reached about 50,000 feet, or roughly 15 kilometers.
FLIGHTS SUSPENDED IN JAKARTA
As volcanic ash reached the airspace, the Indonesian authorities temporarily halted operations at 8 airports, including Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, one of the country's most important transportation hubs.
In addition to Soekarno-Hatta, Halim Perdanakusuma, Radin Inten II, and Budiarto airports were also among the locations affected by the ash cloud.
1558 FLIGHTS AFFECTED
The scale of the transportation disruption grew even larger in the following hours. According to data from Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation, a total of 1558 flights were canceled or delayed at eight airports. Approximately 170,000 passengers were affected by the disruptions.
It was reported that more than 900 flights were affected at Soekarno-Hatta Airport alone. Officials prepared several airports as alternative landing points to ease air traffic.
ASH CLOUD SPREAD OVER A WIDE AREA
According to BMKG's measurements, the ash layer at 20,000 feet moved toward Jakarta, Banten, West Java, and surrounding sea areas. The higher ash cloud, reaching 50,000 feet, spread toward Banten, Lampung, Bengkulu, the southern Sunda Strait, and the Indian Ocean west of Sumatra.
Since volcanic ash poses a serious risk to aircraft engines, the resumption of flights is being evaluated based on ash dispersion and wind conditions.
VOLCANIC ACTIVITY CONTINUES
Indonesian authorities reported that activity at Anak Krakatau continues, and the timing and magnitude of new eruptions cannot be determined precisely in advance. A warning was issued to stay away from a 3-kilometer radius around the volcano. So far, no casualties or evacuation orders have been reported due to the eruptions.