Mount Semeru Eruption Forces Hundreds to Evacuate in Indonesia's Java Island

Volcanic activity remained variable but had largely subsided by Thursday following the eruption.

Indonesia:

Hundreds of Indonesian residents took shelter in temporary accommodations on Thursday after Mount Semeru volcano on Java island erupted, causing damage to residential homes and a school, with authorities evacuating approximately 190 people from the danger zone.

The eruption of Mount Semeru in eastern Java occurred Wednesday afternoon, sending ash and gas more than 13 kilometers (eight miles) into the atmosphere, prompting officials to elevate the alert status to its maximum level.

According to the Indonesian geological agency, while volcanic activity had substantially decreased, it continued to fluctuate throughout Thursday.

Nearly 900 individuals sought refuge in emergency shelters established in schools, mosques, and community halls following the eruption, according to disaster agency representative Sultan Syafaat.

"They continue to remain in shelters overnight, likely due to ongoing trauma," he explained.

Local resident Faiz Ramadhani described the eruption to AFP as "very horrible."

"At four o'clock in the afternoon, it became as dark as midnight. Visibility was extremely poor," the 20-year-old recounted.

Several homes in proximity to the volcano were partially submerged by volcanic ash and pyroclastic materials.

Nurul Yakin Pribadi, who heads Supiturang village, expressed shock upon discovering damage to his residence.

"A meter-high accumulation of volcanic materials covered my house," he told AFP. "Numerous homes sustained damage."

At least one elementary school was completely destroyed, according to Lumajang district secretary Agus Triyono, who noted that authorities were still assessing infrastructure damage.

A search and rescue official reported that a minimum of three individuals suffered burn injuries.

On Thursday, authorities were also evacuating nearly 190 people from the volcano's slopes, primarily hikers who had become stranded at a campsite following the eruption, according to Rudijanto Tjahja Nugraha, who manages the Semeru national park.

A previous eruption of Mount Semeru in 2021 claimed over 50 lives and damaged more than 5,000 homes, forcing almost 10,000 residents to evacuate.

Indonesia is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where the convergence of continental plates generates significant volcanic and seismic activity.

The Southeast Asian archipelago is home to nearly 130 active volcanoes.