Indonesia Volcanic Eruption Buries Villages Under Hot Ash, 14 Dead

Dec 06, 2021 by Priya Chauhan in Environment

After the eruption of Mount Semeru, which is an active volcano in East Java, Indonesia, fourteen people were killed and dozens were injured as many evacuated the region

On December 4, 2021, the highest volcano on Indonesia’s most densely populated island of Java erupted, covering several villages with hot spewing ash. The sudden Indonesia volcanic eruption was followed by a thunderstorm that spread lava and blazing debris across a wide region, burying entire settlements.

14 people have been reported dead and many were injured. Rescuers have been searching for survivors in villages submerged in hot ash. The eruption caught locals by surprise, prompting massive evacuations and hundreds of families into makeshift shelters.

Reportedly, 11 villages of Lumajang district in East Java were covered in volcanic ash, engulfing houses and vehicles, and stifling livestock. The eruption led to at least 1,300 evacuees seeking shelter in mosques, schools and community halls.

Indonesia Volcanic Eruption Buries Villages Under Hot Ash

Image: EPA

Dramatic video of the mountain spewing a cloud of ash into the sky that loomed over panicked locals has sent waves of shock on the internet. Many people suffered serious burns. According to the health officials, at least 56 people were injured in the incident, including two pregnant women.

Aerial footage showed roofs barely peeking out of an ashen landscape. The military officers, police and locals have been digging through mud with hands to find survivors.

The government has ordered a rapid emergency response to find victims after the scale of the disaster became apparent on Sunday. The weather department has said that rain is expected in the next couple of days, which could create obstacles for rescue operations. Moreover, the rain can cause ash sediment to form a new river of hot lava, furthering death and destruction.

The change in weather has disrupted the search-and-rescue efforts. People have been warned to remain vigilant as heavy wind and rain could block any relief teams to reach the affected region in time as the volcano continues to spew lava and ash.