Mount Semeru eruption in Indonesia prompts evacuations

"The volcano in East Java province unleashed searing clouds of hot ash and a mixture of rock, lava and gas that travelled up to 7km (4 miles) down its slopes several times from midday to dusk, while a thick column of hot clouds rose 2km into the air, Indonesia's Geology Agency said in a statement. The eruptions that unfolded throughout the day forced authorities to raise the volcano's alert level twice, from the third-highest level to the highest, the agency said."

"More than 300 residents in the three villages most at risk in the district of Lumajang were evacuated to government shelters, said Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for the national disaster mitigation agency. He said increased activity of the volcano on Wednesday afternoon prompted authorities to widen the danger zone to 8km (5 miles) from the crater. People were advised to keep away from an area along the Besuk Kobokan River, which is the path of the lava flow, as searing gas flowed down Semeru's slopes."

"Local media reported that authorities were struggling to rescue about 178 people stranded on the 3,676-metre mountain at the Ranu Kumbolo monitoring post. The group included 137 climbers, 15 porters, seven guides and six tourism officials, according to an official with the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru national park (TNBTS). They are currently safe at Ranu Kumbolo monitoring post, Endrip Wahyutama, a TNBTS spokesperson, said in video statement."

Mount Semeru in East Java erupted, sending searing clouds of hot ash and a mixture of rock, lava and gas down its slopes multiple times, with flows reaching up to 7km. A thick column of hot clouds rose about 2km into the air. Authorities raised the volcano alert level twice to the highest. More than 300 residents in three high-risk villages in Lumajang district were evacuated to government shelters and the danger zone was widened to 8km from the crater. People were warned to avoid the Besuk Kobokan River, the path of lava flow, as searing gas descended the slopes. About 178 people remained stranded but reportedly safe at the Ranu Kumbolo monitoring post while rescue efforts were underway; no casualties were reported.

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