MOUNT SEMERU ERUPTS AGAIN
Indonesian authorities suspend rescue operations
INDONESIA’S Mount Semeru spewed more ash yesterday, forcing rescuers to suspend the search for survivors as aerial images showed the extent of the devastation unleashed by the volcano’s deadly weekend eruption.
The biggest mountain in Java thundered to life on Saturday, ejecting a mushroom of volcanic ash high into the sky and raining hot mud as thousands of panicked people fled their homes. At least 15 were killed.
Aerial photos showed entire streets filled with grey volcanic ash and mud, which had swallowed many homes and vehicles, including whole trucks.
Rescue operations were suspended because of fresh volcanic activity yesterday.
“All evacuation teams have been pulled out... temporarily because there was a small fresh eruption and it could endanger the evacuation teams,” said rescue worker Rizal Purnama.
Indonesia’s national disaster agency said 27 people were still missing. Dangerous thick plumes of smoke continued to emerge from areas blanketed by the volcanic ash, while rescuers in hardhats
tried to dig through the mud to try and find survivors, and recover bodies.
Their task was made more difficult as the volcanic debris had started to harden.
“It’s very difficult... with simple tools,” Rizal Purnama said. “It is very likely bodies that have not been found are buried under the hot mudflow.”
Other rescuers helped villagers salvage their belongings from
wrecked homes. Some locals lifted mattresses and furniture on their shoulders, while others carried goats in their arms.
Officials have advised locals not to travel within 5km of Semeru’s crater, as the nearby air is highly polluted and could affect vulnerable groups. Ash from Semeru travelled up to 4km away after the Saturday eruption.
A sand mine company’s office in Kampung Renteng was buried
after the eruption, trapping 15 people, said foreman Hasim, 65.
“There’s no news from them. Only one operator was rescued, he’s at the hospital with burns.”
Hasim said he ran home after the eruption.
Rescue officials said some were buried inside their vehicles, with no time to escape.
Mount Semeru’s last major eruption was in December last year.