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Image source, Reuters
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Officials say debris and lava mixed with rainfall formed thick mud that has hampered evacuation efforts
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One person died and at least 41 people suffered burns following the eruption of Mount Semeru, Saturday (04/12).
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Residents can be seen in the video recording escaping against the background of thick clouds of smoke from Mount Semeru.
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Eyewitnesses described villages filled with ash and a dark atmosphere as thick smoke covered the sky.
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Deputy Regent of Lumajang Indah Amperawati in a press conference with BNPB, Saturday (04/12) said that one person died and 41 residents suffered burns.
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However, he said the evacuation had not yet been carried out due to the thick mud around the location of the resident who was found dead. He said the cause of death was not yet known.
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During the press conference, Indah asked BNPB, “if the weather permits, there is a helicopter that can monitor our people who are trapped because we are really having a hard time.”
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Image source, Between
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Affected residents were evacuated.
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“It’s a pity and the family is crying all this time because there are about eight to 10 people trapped. Maybe there are helicopters that can monitor,” said Indah.
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Evacuation efforts were hampered by thick smoke, power cuts and heavy rain during the eruption, resulting in muddy road conditions.
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Broken bridge
A number of residents who live in areas that were severely affected by the lava flood were reportedly isolated due to a collapsed connecting bridge. Eyewitnesses stated that the Perak Bridge in Candi Puro District was “broken” due to the brunt of the lava flood.
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It is feared that the collapse of the bridge connecting Lumajang and Malang Regency will complicate relief efforts for the affected residents, according to media reports.
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