Indonesia's highest volcano, Mount Semeru, has violently erupted, plunging communities in East Java into chaos and prompting a major emergency response.
Eruption Details and Escalating Danger
According to the country's Geology Agency, Mount Semeru began unleashing searing clouds of hot ash, rock, and gas from midday into dusk on Wednesday. These dangerous pyroclastic flows travelled up to 7 kilometres down its slopes, while a massive column of ash rose 2 kilometres into the sky.
The escalating activity forced authorities to raise the volcano's alert level twice in a single day, ultimately reaching the highest possible level. This significant upgrade reflects the grave and immediate threat posed by the eruption.
Emergency Response and Evacuations
In response to the heightened danger, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency swiftly moved into action. Spokesperson Abdul Muhari confirmed that more than 300 residents from the most at-risk villages in Lumajang district have been evacuated to government shelters.
The danger zone around the crater was expanded to a radius of 8 kilometres. Authorities have issued a specific warning for people to avoid the area along the Besuk Kobokan river, which has become a channel for the deadly lava and gas flows.
Stranded Climbers and Past Trauma
A separate emergency unfolded for a group of 178 people, including 137 climbers, who were stranded at the Ranu Kumbolo monitoring post on the mountain. An official from the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park (TNBTS) stated that the group was safe for the moment, as their location on the northern slope was not in the direct path of the hot clouds, which were moving south-southeast. However, bad weather forced them to remain on the mountain overnight.
This event reawakens painful memories for the region. Semeru's last major eruption in December 2021 killed 51 people, injured hundreds more with severe burns, and forced over 10,000 from their homes.
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 280 million people, is situated on the volatile Pacific 'Ring of Fire', making it profoundly susceptible to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
