Indonesia: Mount Semeru volcano erupts leaving 13 people killed & dozens injured

A severe volcanic eruption in Indonesia's Java island left at least 13 people dead and thousands displaced on Saturday, December 4. Mount Semeru's unexpected eruption in East Java buried numerous settlements along its slopes with falling ash.

officials told Associated Press (AP) that search efforts were also hampered by smoldering debris and thick mud. Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for National Disaster Mitigation ncy, said at least 13 villrs died from severe burns and 57 were hospitalised, with 16 in critical condition. He said rescuers were still looking for seven people and sand miners who had gone missing along a river in Curah Kobokan hamlet. He added that volcanic debris destroyed entire dwellings in vill, forcing over 900 people to flee to temporary government shelters. 

Several videos on social media showed people fleeing ir homes out of fear and in anticipation of a huge trdy. Eko Budi Lelo, geological survey centre's director, stated that eruption was triggered by a thunderstorm and days of rain that eroded and eventually toppled lava dome atop 3,676-meter Semeru. He furr stated that lava and scorching gas flowed up to 800 metres (2,624 feet) to a nearby river at least twice on Saturday (Dec. 4) and people were asked to keep a distance of 5 kilometres from crater's mouth. 

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity

Meanwhile, Thoriqul Haq, Lumajang district administrator, stated that thick mud led to collapse of at least one bridge connecting two main vills of Projiwo and Candipuro and also hampered evacuation. "Several vills have been reduced to darkness by thick columns of ash," Haq said, adding that hundreds of residents have been relocated to temporary shelters or relocated to or safe regions. tably, Indonesia, an island of more than 270 million people, is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Meanwhile, country's transportation ministry also issued a tification advising all airlines to avoid routes near volca. It furr stated that flight operations are continuing as usual and situation is being thoroughly monitored. t should be mentioned here that Mount Semeru is tallest mountain on Indonesian island of Java, and one of 130 active volcaes in country. It has erupted at least 55 times since 1818, with 10 of those eruptions resulting in fatalities.

(With AP inputs)

Im: AP