Semeru Erupsi, Commission V DPR Waits For Basarnas Update On 178 Climbers In Ranu Kumbolo

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission V DPR RI, Syaiful Huda said that his party immediately coordinated with the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), after receiving news that there were 178 climbers who were still trapped in Ranu Kumbolo when Mount Semeru in East Java erupted on Wednesday, November 19 afternoon.

Syaiful said that his party was waiting for the development of the information and hoped that the affected communities could be evacuated immediately.

"This morning I coordinated with Basarnas to confirm what the latest update was, and what steps Basarnas friends have taken. So, until now I am still waiting for an update, but what is certain is that Basarnas friends are already in the field and maybe in the next half an hour, I was promised to be able to get the latest update on the situation from 178 of our climbers," said Syaiful Huda when contacted by reporters, Thursday, November 20.

"But we really hope that in any difficult situation, we ask Basarnas friends to take quick steps to evacuate and ensure our 178 climbers are safe," he continued.

Syaiful assessed that hundreds of climbers in Ranu Kumbolo still made it possible to be evacuated safely when viewed from their position and location points.

"But in detail, what kind of details will we wait until I get an update from Basarnas friends," he said.

The PKB legislator from the West Java electoral district assessed that the potential for the Semeru eruption was quite large. However, he believes that this potential can be anticipated by disseminating accurate information so that all residents around Mount Semeru are vigilant.

"That means that in terms of handling in the field, it is ensured that from the start the potential to evacuate the community is possible since yesterday, because the information that has been attached to all stakeholders including Basarnas, the potential is quite large," he said.

He also appealed to residents to follow directions from Basarnas so that they are easily evacuated. "We ask the public to fully obey and follow all the instructions issued by Basarnas. Because Basarnas friends already have their own SOPs and standards related to this handling," said Huda.

"Therefore, we ask the entire community in the eruption to follow all the guidelines that have been issued by Basarnas in order to maintain their respective safety," he concluded.