Indonesia’s Semeru volcano erupts, sending panicked villagers fleeing
- The eruption damaged a road and bridge and several houses were buried under the debris, according to local media
- Semeru, on Java island, is one of about 128 active volcanoes in Indonesia, which sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire
Indonesia’s Semeru volcano on Java island erupted on Saturday, killing one person and injuring 41 as it spewed out huge clouds of smoke and ash, officials said.
Videos shared by emergency officials showed residents running as towering plumes of smoke and ash blanketed nearby villages in East Java province. Some were heard shouting “Allahu akbar!” or God is greatest.
The deputy chief of Lumajang district, Indah Masdar, told a news conference one person had died and 41 people had suffered burn injuries.
Authorities were setting up evacuation tents, the country’s disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) said. But evacuations have been hampered by thick smoke, BNPB chief Suharyanto said.
AirNav Indonesia, which controls Indonesian airspace, said in a statement the eruption did not “cause significant impact” on flights.
Volcanic ash and hot clouds were detected in the area at about 3pm local time, said Abdul Muhari, a BNPB official.
Thoriqul Haq, district head of Lumajang near Semeru, said the road and bridge connecting Lumajang and the nearby city of Malang were severed.
