Urgent evacuation alerts were issued after a volcano spewed ash 32,000ft into the air, unleashing a 6.8 mile-high ash cloud into the sky and affecting Australian airspace

LEMBATA, Indonesia (AP) — Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano in south-central Indonesia erupted on Tuesday, spewing towering columns of hot ash into the air. Authorities raised the eruption alert to the highest level and expanded the danger zone to about 5 miles from the crater.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted on Tuesday and Wednesday, unleashing gigantic ash plumes and showering villages with volcanic debris.