Key Points
- Mount Semeru erupted, triggering mass evacuations.
- Nearly 900 people moved into temporary shelters including schools, mosques, and village halls.
- About 190 climbers stranded on the volcano’s slopes were evacuated.
- Authorities raised the alert level to the highest due to ongoing volcanic activity.
- No confirmed casualties so far, but the situation remains volatile.
JAKARTA: Hundreds of residents have taken refuge in temporary shelters after Mount Semeru, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupted in East Java on Wednesday.
The eruption prompted authorities to relocate nearly 900 people to government shelters, including schools, mosques, and village halls, according to Sultan Syafaat, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s disaster management agency.
The volcano expelled ash, lava, hot rocks, and gas that flowed down its slopes for several kilometres, forcing officials to raise the alert level to the highest, Reuters reported. About 190 people, including climbers stranded on Semeru’s slopes, were safely evacuated, the head of Semeru National Park, Rudijanto Tjahja Nugraha, told reporters.
The geological agency widened the danger zone around the volcano to eight kilometres, particularly warning residents to stay clear of the Besuk Kobokan River, which is prone to deadly flows of volcanic debris and hot gas. Thick ash clouds and pyroclastic flows from the eruption have disrupted daily life in nearby villages, while authorities continue to monitor volcanic activity for signs of further danger, according to the Associated Press.
Many evacuees spent the night in the shelters, still traumatised by the eruption, Sultan Syafaat said. Mount Semeru, also known as Mahameru, stands at 3,676 meters and is among Indonesia’s most active volcanoes. Its 2021 eruption killed 51 people and displaced around 10,000 residents, highlighting the ongoing risk to local communities, The Guardian reported.
Authorities now face the challenge of maintaining shelters, supporting evacuees, and monitoring the volcano to prevent further casualties. While the immediate evacuation has succeeded, ongoing vigilance is crucial as the situation remains volatile.
