Combing Residents Of Semeru Victims, Indonesian Air Force Deploys Special Forces

Indonesian Air Force soldiers carry a resident who was a victim of the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang, East Java, Monday (6/12/2021). ANTARA/HO-Indonesian Air Force Information Service

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Air Force deployed dozens of special troops to search and assist in the evacuation of victims of the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang, East Java, Monday, December 6.

The dozens of soldiers consisted of the Matra 2/Naga Pasa Detachment and the 464th Command Battalion/Nanggala Special Forces Corps of the Indonesian Air Force.

The special forces arrived with health officers, facility and agency officers, communication centers, and officers from the Air Traffic Control from Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base, Malang, according to the Indonesian Air Force Information Service, as quoted from a written broadcast received in Jakarta, Monday, December 6.

The troops are part of a task force that is tasked with other TNI troops, the police, and other institutions, combing through the victims of the eruption of Mount Semeru.

The joint task force troops moved from locations that were severely affected by the eruption, namely in Sumber Wuluh Village, Candipuro District, Lumajang Regency. Four locations in Sumber Wuluh became the focus of the sweep, namely at Jembatan Merah, Curah Kobokan Village, Perak Village, and Bundali Village.

Not only assisting with sweeping, but the Indonesian Air Force also provides health check-up services to residents affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru.

"The health assistance provided is in the form of general examinations and administering drugs to vulnerable residents", explained the Indonesian Air Force Information Service, reported by Antara.

Mount Semeru, which reaches a height of 3,676 meters above sea level, erupted with hot clouds and rain of volcanic ash, Saturday, December 4.

As a result of the eruption, more than 50 residents were burned, dozens died, thousands of houses were damaged, and dozens of electrical installations were disrupted.

The Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, on Sunday, December 5 decided to have an office in Lumajang to oversee the process of sweeping and evacuating victims.

Until now, assistance from various parties continues to flow for victims of the eruption of Mount Semeru.