Mount Semeru Erupts in Indonesia, Forcing Mass Evacuations as Ash Towers 13 km Up

Indonesia has evacuated more than 900 people after Mount Semeru, one of the country’s tallest and most active volcanoes, erupted on Wednesday, spewing massive ash clouds and sending lava and rocks cascading up to 13 km down its slopes.

All 170 climbers who were stranded near a lakeside campsite about 6.4 km from the crater were safely escorted out on Thursday, officials confirmed. Authorities have maintained the highest alert level as the volcano on Java island continues to release towering columns of ash. “All climbers with their guides are safe… The situation is under control,” said Septi Wardhani of the Semeru National Park.

No casualties have been reported so far, according to AP.

Dramatic footage released by Indonesia’s volcanology agency showed dense, scorching ash clouds billowing from the crater and blanketing the surrounding landscape. Videos of the eruption also circulated widely on social media.

Mount Semeru last experienced a major eruption in December 2021, killing at least 51 people and burying villages under thick ash. Standing 3,676 metres tall, it is one of 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia, a country straddling the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” known for intense geological activity.

In East Java, rescue teams have been deployed to assist ongoing evacuations. At least 956 residents have already been moved to temporary shelters set up in schools, mosques and government buildings, said local rescue official Prahista Dian. Teams are also checking nearby settlements to ensure no residents remain trapped.