Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano in south-central Indonesia has erupted, spewing towering columns of hot ash into the air and prompting authorities to both raise the alert to the highest level and expand the danger zone to 8km (5 miles) from the crater.

The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia has prompted the highest volcanic alert and travel advisories in East Nusa Tenggara.

JAKARTA (Reuters) -Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province erupted on Tuesday, spewing a towering ash cloud 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) high, the country's volcanology agency said.