Mt Semeru Refugees Up to 3,657: Disaster Agency

TheIndonesia.co - The number of people displaced by the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang District, East Java, has grown to 3,657, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported on Tuesday, December 7, 2021.

"The Emergency Response Command Post’s latest data shows that as of Tuesday at 12 p.m. Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB), the number of displaced residents has increased to 3,657 people,” acting head of the BNPB's Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center Abdul Muhari informed here on Tuesday.

Most of the refugees have taken shelter in Lumajang district, while there are only 24 refugees in Malang district, he said as quoted by Antara news agency,

There are several refugee shelters in Lumajang district, he noted. They comprise nine shelters in Pronojiwo sub-district housing 382 refugees; six shelters in Candipuro sub-district sheltering 1,136 refugees; and four shelters in Pasirian sub-district with 563 refugees, he informed.

In addition, some refugees are taking shelter in other sub-districts, he said. For instance, 188 people have sought refuge in Lumajang sub-district, 290 people in Tempeh sub-district, 67 people in Sumberseko sub-district, and 45 people in Sukodono district, he added.

"Meanwhile, regarding the fatalities, it was recorded that 56 people were injured, 17 people were missing, and 34 people died, while the total affected population was 5,205 people," Muhari said.

However, the command post is still updating and validating data on the missing and injured residents, he added.

As of 8:30 p.m. WIB on Tuesday, the number of missing residents has increased to 22, he disclosed.

In addition, the eruption is reported to have affected 2,970 homes, he said. However, the local government is still updating the number and data on the level of damage, he added.

Other affected buildings include 38 educational facilities and one bridge, he said.

At 10.21 a.m. WIB on Tuesday, President Joko Widodo met with refugees at Sumberwuluh village, Candipuro sub-district, Lumajang District, East Java province.

He also inspected public kitchens and health posts and handed compensation to the kin of the victims who died in the disaster.
Meanwhile, Mount Semeru was observed to have two eruption quakes of 55–125 seconds duration, officials said.

In addition, the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Agency (PVMBG) informed that seven avalanche quakes lasted 50–120 seconds.