Jakarta, Feb. 13 -- Indonesian authorities have raised the alert for Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano on the eastern island of Flores, to the highest level following increased seismic activity.

The February 13 decision comes as officials widen the exclusion zone and order evacuations for six villages amid fears of an imminent eruption.

In a statement Muhammad Wafid, head of Indonesia's geological agency, confirmed that visual and seismic data showed a sudden surge in volcanic earthquakes which can potentially lead to an eruption in the future.

As a result, officials elevated the alert level to the highest tier in Indonesia's four-stage warning system. The exclusion zone surrounding the crater was expanded from five to six kilometers...