Large Volcanic Eruption Occurs in Indonesia... 13 Dead, Over 100 Injured

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] A major eruption occurred on the Semeru volcano (3,676 meters above sea level) on the eastern part of Java Island, Indonesia, on the 4th (local time), resulting in 13 deaths and about 100 injuries, according to major foreign media and local news outlets.

Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia's National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB), stated on the 5th, "The death toll from the Semeru volcano eruption has risen to 13." The disaster agency reported that 98 people, including two pregnant women, were injured in the eruption, and 35 were hospitalized with burns and other injuries.

The Semeru volcano is the highest volcano on Java Island and has erupted several times recently, including in December last year and January this year. Authorities initially reported one death immediately after the eruption the previous day, but the number of casualties increased significantly within a day as the damage grew.

The Semeru volcano began erupting the previous day, producing a massive volcanic ash cloud reaching several kilometers high. The hot cloud spread around, causing numerous livestock to suffocate. Villagers hurriedly began evacuating to safe areas, but some struggled to move due to the smoke, foreign media reported.

The disaster agency announced that 902 people have evacuated so far. The eruption's impact damaged bridges and houses, and a bridge connecting the Lumajang area and the nearby major city of Malang was severely damaged. Authorities have dispatched rescue teams to the area to assist trapped residents and provide relief supplies.

Meanwhile, at 8:47 a.m. on the same day, a magnitude 6.0 strong earthquake (according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre) occurred in the northern sea of Halmahera Island in the Maluku Islands, Indonesia. Halmahera Island is about 2,000 kilometers away from the Semeru volcano.

Later, at 10:10 a.m., a magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck the sea near Papua Province on the eastern New Guinea Island. No casualties or damage from the two earthquakes have been reported yet.

Indonesia, consisting of over 17,000 islands, is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, known for frequent volcanic and seismic activity. It is especially known to have 128 active volcanoes.