Indonesia’s highest peak on Java island, Mount Semeru, erupted on Wednesday, covering several villages with ash and prompting evacuations as authorities raised the alert level to its highest point. The volcano in East Java province emitted hot ash clouds mixed with rock, lava, and gas, reaching up to seven kilometers down its slopes multiple times throughout the day. A thick column of hot clouds rose two kilometers into the sky, according to Indonesia’s Geology Agency.
The escalating eruptions led to two alert level increases, from the third-highest to the highest level, with no reported casualties. Over 300 residents in three at-risk villages in the Lumajang district were evacuated to government shelters, as confirmed by Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.
Increased volcanic activity prompted authorities to expand the danger zone to eight kilometers from the crater, cautioning people to avoid the area along the Besuk Kobokan River, where searing gas was flowing down Semeru’s slopes. Social media videos captured a dense ash cloud moving through a forested valley towards a river, with residents fleeing to temporary shelters or safer locations.
Local reports indicated challenges in rescuing approximately 178 individuals stranded at the Ranu Kumbolo monitoring post on the 3,676-meter mountain, including climbers, porters, guides, and tourism officials. Endrip Wahyutama, a spokesperson for Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, reassured that the group was safe at the monitoring post, located 4.5 kilometers from the crater on the mountain’s northern slope, away from the hot cloud flow moving southeast due to harsh weather conditions.
Mount Semeru, also known as Mahameru, has experienced multiple eruptions in the last two centuries. The volcano’s last significant eruption in December 2021 resulted in 51 fatalities and several injuries, prompting the evacuation of over 10,000 individuals. Despite the volcanic activity, many people still reside on its fertile slopes, reflecting the broader challenge of living near Indonesia’s 129 active volcanoes.
Situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” Indonesia, with its population exceeding 280 million, remains prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in its island archipelago.