Today’s Top Three News: Anak Krakatau Eruption Forces Soekarno-Hatta Airport Closure

Mount Anak Krakatau’s volcanic ash temporarily shut Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Sunday, September 6, as the eruption affected parts of Java and Sumatra.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the airport closure ran from 1:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Western Indonesian Time under NOTAM A3341/26. Officials cited “paper test” results conducted between 12:35 a.m. and 1:05 a.m., which indicated volcanic ash at the airport.

“This action was taken following ‘paper test’ results conducted on Sunday (September 6) between 00:35 WIB and 01:05 WIB, which indicated the presence of volcanic ash at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport,” Director General of Civil Aviation Lukman F. Laisa said in a statement in Jakarta.

Ashfall also reached coastal areas of Serang Regency in Banten on Saturday night. Residents reported stinging eyes, while school activities were disrupted. Sanan, a 42-year-old resident of Kampung Pasauran Satu in Umbul Tanjung Village, said the ash concentration around residential areas began intensifying at about 5 p.m.

By Sunday morning, ash from the eruption had become a public talking point in Jakarta and surrounding areas. The spread also reached parts of Sumatra. Information from MAGMA Indonesia, operated by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said Anak Krakatau continued erupting, with activity ongoing since Friday morning. Seismographs recorded eruptions at times including 5:53 a.m. and 7:10 a.m.

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This action was taken following ‘paper test’ results conducted on Sunday (September 6) between 00:35 WIB and 01:05 WIB, which indicated the presence of volcanic ash at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.