Mount Semeru Eruption Has Claimed 34 Souls, At Least 17 Others Still Missing - Jokowi Visited Victims

NusantaraPol - Emergency responses after the pyroclastic avalanche of Mount Semeru are still ongoing on the fourth day. The eruption which occurred last Saturday (4/12/2021) had caused multiple loss of life and infrastructure damages. Thousands of residents are displaced due to massive volcanic material.

The latest data from the command post for the Mount Semeru disaster response on Tuesday (7/12/2021), at noon local time, shows the number of displaced residents has increased to 3,697 people. Most of the displaced residents are in Lumajang Regency, while 24 people are evacuated to Malang Regency.

Furthermore, the casualties report shows 56 injured, 17 missings, and 34 have died.  The total affected population is 5,205 people. 

President Jokowi inspects the refugee camp located in Sumberwuluh Village, Candipuro District, Lumajang, East Java, Tuesday (07/12/2021). (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Laily Rachev)

Regarding the number of missing and injured residents, the command post continues to update and validate the data.

The eruption of Mount Semeru has resulted in 2,970 housing units being affected by hot volcanic materials and pyroclastic flow. The local government is also still updating the number of houses affected and the level of the overall damage. At least 38 educational facilities are among the affected. At least one main bridge, Gladak Perak, has been cut off.

Also on Tuesday (7/12/2021), President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited the affected locations in Lumajang Regency. The president arrived at the Sumberwuluh Village, at 10.21 local time. President Jokowi then met the survivors, inspect the soup kitchen and health posts. On the occasion, the head of the state also directly handed compensation to the heirs of the victims who died as a result of the Semeru Volcano eruption.

In addition, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) informed Mount Semeru of multiple volcanic earthquakes. 

The agency has also warned the public not to approach the vicinity of Mount Semeru and the threat of cold lahars flowing along the rivers connected to the mountain.