Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Maumere (Agenzia Fides) - Sister Nikolin Padjo, Missionary Servant of the Holy Spirit (SSpS), is one of the victims of the serious eruption of the Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano that occurred without warning in the middle of the night between November 2 and 3.
"The volcano located between the provinces of Larantuka and Maumere, on the island of Flores, suddenly woke up giving rise to a powerful eruption of lava, ash and large debris that affected the inhabitants of hundreds of families in five villages," writes Fr. Luigi Galvani, a Camillian missionary in Flores, who had returned from Italy only a few days before the eruption, to Fides. "Several rocks, which also fell down the slopes of the volcano, fell on the roofs of houses, killing an as yet undetermined number of inhabitants, including Sister Nikolin of the monastery of St. Gabriel, inhabited by 75 nuns and postulants. Rescue teams are currently searching for other victims who are believed to be trapped under the collapsed buildings."
"In the five most affected villages, more than 1,500 people are currently gathered in evacuation centres," he continues. The immediate aid from the Government, private organizations and numerous volunteers, including some from our Camillian mission, is moving. Currently, the most requested aid is tents, food, drinking water, masks, medicines and mattresses."
"Some parishes have already made school buildings and pastoral rooms available to facilitate the reception of hundreds of refugees, even organizing public kitchens. The race for solidarity seems to be alive and we hope that the Lewotobi volcano will soon find peace, allowing hundreds of families to return to their homes", concludes Father Luigi.
At present, due to the continuing eruption, the various airports on the island, Maumere, Larantuka, Ende, Ruteng, Bajawa and Labuanbajo, have been closed. Only a few large ships are able to maintain connections with the various ports and in particular with the port of Kupang, on the island of Timor.
(AP) (Agenzia Fides, 5/11/2024)
