Indonesia, which has around 500 volcanoes, of which just over 25% are active, is once again bereaved by a natural disaster. The results of the spectacular eruption of the Semeru volcano reached 13 dead on Sunday, the disaster management agency said. This dramatic number could rise further as rescuers continue to search the area covered with a thick layer of ash.
The volcano located to the east of the island of Java projected a vast plume of ash and gray smoke on Saturday after 3 p.m. (9 a.m. in Paris), triggering panic among the inhabitants of the surrounding villages who, taken by surprise, stood by. fled as the region plunged into darkness in the middle of the afternoon. At least 11 villages in Lumajang district were covered with a thick layer of ash, which almost completely buried some homes and vehicles, and killed livestock. Some 900 people had to go to shelters and mosques to stay overnight.
A destroyed bridge
At least 57 people were injured in the eruption, 41 of whom were burnt, the disaster management agency said. The disaster also destroyed at least one bridge in Lumajang, hampering the work of rescuers.
In a video shared by the rescue service, we can see a scene of desolation, with roofs and palm trees emerging from the ash and debris covering the ground, in a landscape that has turned dark gray. Authorities have asked residents not to approach within 5 km of the crater because the air saturated with ash dust in the area is dangerous for vulnerable people. Food aid, masks and body bags were sent to the area by the emergency services.
An eruption in 2020
Mount Semeru, highest peak in Java, rises to 3,676 meters. Its last major eruption was in December 2020. It had also caused the flight of thousands of people and covered entire villages. The authorities had maintained since this episode the alert level of the volcano at the second highest.