A RED alert has been issued for air traffic after a massive six-mile high ash cloud exploded from a volcano in Indonesia.

Astonishing footage showed plumes of ash pouring into the sky from Mount Lewotobi.

The Australian government has issued a “red” aviation alert following the unbelievable eruption.

And Japan’s Meteorological Agency is investigating whether the eruption could spark a tsunami.

Terrifying footage taken from a residential area nearby shows a gargantuan plume of grey smoke erupting from the volcano.

Visual observations taken over the last two days saw a significant increase in volcanic activity from Mount Lewotobi.

The country’s volcanology agency said it had raised the alert level of the volcano to the most dangerous, warning of potential lava flows if it rains.

Volcano Observation Post Officer Yohanes Kolli Sorywutun confirmed the eruption in a statement.

He said: “There was an eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 17:35 WITA with an observed ash column height of 10,000m above the peak (11,584 m above sea level).”

Authorities in Indonesia said: “The public and tourists are advised not to carry out activities within a radius of 7km and the southwest-northeast sector 8 km from the eruption center, and to remain calm and follow the directions of the local government.”

In November last year, 10 people died after Mount Lewotobi spewed a fiery column of lava.

Hot ashes hit several villages, burning down houses including a convent of Catholic nuns.

Indonesia sits on the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, an area of high seismic activity atop multiple tectonic plates.

In April 2024, a remote volcano in Indonesia erupted and sent a tower of ash more than five kilometres into the sky.

Thousands were evacuated and an international airport was closed after Mount Ruang erupted several times on Tuesday.