Mount Semeru Eruption: 34 People Died, 22 Declared Missing

PHOTO VIA ANTARA/Mount Semeru on Monday 6 December 2021

JAKARTA - The Commander of the Command Post for Emergency Response to the Impact of Hot Clouds and Falls of Mount Semeru, Danrem 083/Baladhika Jaya Infantry, Colonel Irwan Subekti, reported 34 people died and 22 people were declared missing in the hot cloud disaster.

"So far, 34 people have died at our command post, 22 people have been declared missing based on community reports. So far, 26 have been seriously injured", Irwan said at a press conference quoted by Antara, Tuesday, December 7.

Irwan said that in handling disaster management to this day, a Task Force for Handling had been formed. It is estimated that the number of victims, both human and material, will continue to increase.

In addition, it was reported that 5,205 units of houses were affected. Then the data for refugees is 4,250 people, which are scattered in several places in schools, mosques, village halls, and houses of residents or their own relatives.

According to Irwan's report, the total areas affected are 10 sub-districts and 17 villages.

The locations of the affected refugees were at 19 points, namely in Pronojiwo District as many as nine points, in Candipuro District there were six refugee points, Pasirian District there were four evacuation points. Then there are other refugees spread over 25 locations.

Irwan said the search for victims had now reached the fourth day. The task force is given one week to search optimally.