The region of the crater is covered by a thick mantle of ash and rescue operations are delicate.
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A thick gray layer now covers the surroundings of the Semeru volcano, on the island of Java (Indonesia), Sunday, December 5. The day before, a spectacular eruption triggered panic in the surrounding villages and projected a vast plume of ash. At least 13 people have died, according to the spokesperson for the national natural disasters agency, Abdul Muhari. At least 57 people were injured, 41 of them burned, and rescuers are still trying to locate survivors. A dozen people trapped by the eruption were also taken out of a mine where they were stranded.
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Videos showed villagers running away in front of the growing gray cloud. 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. Evacuations were temporarily suspended during the day due to clouds of burning ash, Metro TV reported, highlighting the difficulties rescuers are facing. And the eruption destroyed at least one bridge in Lumajang, making it even more difficult for them.
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However, action must be taken, because at least seven people are still missing, two of whom are considered alive, said Lumajang police spokesman Adi Hendro. “He has signs of life, like lights, that may be coming from their cell phones.”, he said. “But we cannot go there, because the ground is still very hot. We also want to guarantee the safety of our teams”. Food aid, masks and body bags were sent to the region by the emergency services. 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.