Jakarta, 2 January 2024 (dpa/MIA) — Authorities on Indonesia's Flores island evacuated nearly 1,200 people from villages near the Mount Lewotobi volcano after it spewed ash and smoke up to 1,500 metres into the air, an official said Tuesday.

The volcano, located in East Flores district in the eastern province of East Nusa Tenggara, erupted on Monday, prompting authorities to raise its alert level to the second highest.

It was the second eruption in less than two weeks after the volcano erupted for the first time in 20 years on December 23.

Fredy Moat Aeng, a local official, told Antara news agency that women, older adults, children and babies were taken to shelters such as schools, offices and military bases.

He said people had been advised to stay away from a radius of 2 to 3 kilometres from the crater.

There were no reports of injuries or damage.

The East Flores district government has distributed aid to the evacuees, such as food, water, masks and blankets, he added.

The twin volcano has two peaks, known as Lewotobi Lakilaki (male) and Lewotobi Perempuan (female).

It is one of the 127 active volcanoes in Indonesia, a vast archipelago prone to seismic activity.

Domestic carrier Wings Air said it had canceled five flights on Monday and Tuesday to and from Frans Seda Airport in Maumere, the largest town on Flores.