Anak Krakatau: Volcano eruption disrupts hundreds of flights

Hundreds of flights have been suspended after the eruption of Indonesia's Mount Anak Krakatau.

The volcano, which is situated roughly halfway ​between Java and Sumatra, began erupting late on Friday, with volcanic ash detected ‌at Jakarta's main airport early on Sunday, the transport ministry said.

Six airports suspended flights, with Soekarno-Hatta International Airport halting operations until 5.30pm local time, stranding hundreds of passengers.

A total of 301 flights including 58 international flights have been affected, according to airport operator Angkasa Pura.

Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines said they had cancelled flights to and from Jakarta for the rest of the day.

Ferries in Sunda Strait were operating normally, the transport ⁠ministry said, urging vessels to stay at least 3km (two miles) away from Anak Krakatau's crater and remain vigilant ​for volcanic hazards, including ash.

Ash reached as high as 20,000ft (6,000m) on the Java side of the volcano and 50,000ft (15,000m) ​on the Sumatra side and some parts of Banten province in Java, meteorological agency BMKG said.

The disaster mitigation agency BNPB said it would conduct a weather modification operation, which could include cloud- seeding, on Sunday to promote rain.

"If it rains heavily enough, the ‌volcanic ash that has been disrupting our daily lives since yesterday and continuing today will be washed away quickly," BNPB chief Suharyanto told a news conference.

Members of the public were being urged to remain calm while increasing vigilance, and in the event of ashfall to wear masks and eye protection, and exercise caution when driving.

Some schools cancelled activities on Saturday afternoon, and fishermen cancelled fishing trips, local media outlet Kompas reported.

Anak Krakatau has been on alert level 3, the second highest, since 2 July. The disaster mitigation agency said there was no imminent risk of a tsunami from the volcano.

Four other Indonesian volcanoes are also on alert level 3: Mount Semeru in East Java, Merapi, Lewotobi Laki-laki ​and Sinabung.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent.

A tsunami in 2018 caused by Anak ​Krakatau eruptions killed more than 400 people on Java and Sumatra.

Anak Krakatau, which means child of Krakatau, emerged a century ago from the area once occupied by Krakatau, then known as Krakatoa.

The older volcano destroyed itself in mass eruptions in 1883, killing more than 36,000 people in a series of ​tsunamis.

(c) Sky News 2026: Anak Krakatau: Volcano eruption disrupts hundreds of flights