Confessions Of The Semeru Victims To President Jokowi: It's Not Even A Minute, It's Immediately Dark, Sir

Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited the refugee camp for victims of the eruption of Mount Semeru, in the field of Sumberwuluh Village, Candipuro District, Lumajang Regency, East Java Province / Antara

LUMAJANG - A number of residents affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru told President Joko Widodo about the eruption that hit their village.

The residents told the story when the President directly inspected the refugee camp in the field of Sumberwuluh Village, Candipuro District, Lumajang Regency, East Java Province, Tuesday, December 7.

"It didn't take up to 1 minute, sir, it got dark immediately. Previously, there was a notification that 25 vibrations were said to have come from the monitoring center," said a resident to the President, according to a written statement received from the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta.

A resident from Kamar Kajang Hamlet said that prior to the incident they had received a warning from the monitoring post via their mobile phone. They did not expect that the eruption on Saturday, December 4, 2021, would turn out to be bigger than they expected.

"There is a notification, the cellphone is already there. It's just thought it's small, sir, it's thought to be a minor flood, the 25 vibrations are usually small. Later, there will be bigger follow-ups, usually. The monitoring post is always on standby," he said as reported by Antara.

Another resident replied, "The panic was just ash panic, the ashes, sir, were dark. The position at 3 pm (15:00) was volcanic ash. The ash rain was dark first, followed by cold lava."

After the incident, the affected residents also had time to check their respective homes through passable routes.

A resident told how the eruption of Mount Semeru had killed many of his domesticated livestock.

Meanwhile, other residents told how they are still looking for some of their families who are still missing.

To the President, they asked that the destroyed infrastructure could be repaired immediately. The President also said that he would immediately build and repair the houses of the affected residents along with other public facilities such as bridges.

"Nggih, the house, the bridge, we will start (repair) quickly," said President Jokowi.

The President continued, "I have invited the Minister of Public Works. This is just checking everything, it will be done soon."

"Thank you, sir," exclaimed the resident.

Based on data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of Monday, December 6, 2021, at 20.15 WIB, the hot clouds from Mount Semeru caused damage to the housing, education, and facilities and infrastructure sectors.

The Command Post is still updating the impact of material losses. Temporary data on houses affected by 2,970 units, educational facilities 38 units, and the bridge (Gladak Perak Bridge) broke down 1 unit.