Toll increases to 15 dead, 27 missing in Indonesia volcanic eruption
Jakarta, Dec 6 (EFE).- At least 15 people have died and 27 remain missing from the recent eruption of the Semeru volcano on the Indonesian island of Java, according to assessment by the local authorities on Monday.
Heavy rains and hot air emanating from the volcano, which eaerly Monday witnessed a minor eruption, are making it difficult for search and rescue teams to find survivors in the eleven villages in the vicinity.
Moreover, according to the latest data update by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), 51 people were injured by burns, of whom 35 are in severe condition.
The authorities said they were still collecting information from different departments and teams on the ground and would make updates accordingly.
The BNPB reported that some 5,200 people have been affected by the eruption of Semeru on Saturday, of which more than 1,700 have been evacuated to one of the 19 evacuation and displacement centers set up.
The eruption occurred Saturday at 3.30 pm. Columns of ash-covered several villages on the mountain slope as villages, plunging the residential areas into darkness.
A social media video captured by witnesses shows residents of Lumajang fleeing in a hurry amid a massive cloud of smoke and ash from Semeru.
The Indonesian volcanology service placed the risk in the area at level 2 (out of a maximum of 4).
The authorities issued a flight alert in the region.
The Indonesian archipelago sits on the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, a highly seismic zone with 127 active volcanoes.
Thousands of tremors occurred every year, most of them of low magnitude. EFE
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