Evacuation Of Wave III Residents: 327 Refugees Of Mount Ruang Eruption Arrive In Bitung

Refugees from the eruption of Mount Ruang/ Photo: Antara

A total of 327 refugees who were victims of the eruption of Mount Ruang, Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi, arrived at the Patrol pier of the VIII Navy Main Base (Lantamal), in Bitung City, Saturday night.

Asops Danlantamal VIII Marine Colonel (P) Mohamad Noordin Mutaqien, said as many as 327 people had been evacuated in the third wave by the KRI Kakap-811 Team or from the Indonesian Navy.

"Of that number, there were 192 women and 135 men. Of the 327 people, there were two people who were seriously ill, namely stroke and bleeding," he said on the sidelines of welcoming the arrival of KRI Kakap-811.

He added, for this reason, his party has prepared a health team from both the Navy and the Bitung City Government.

He said, according to the data collection carried out by the refugees upon arrival in Bitung, they would go to their respective families.

"There are already families who will pick up the refugees," he said.

Regarding the total refugees who have been evacuated by KRI Kakap-811, he said, for the past three days there have been 527 people.

This number consists of the first wave on Thursday (18/4) as many as 195 people, the second wave on Friday (19/4) as many as five people and the third wave today Saturday as many as 327 people.

Sulce Derek, one of the refugees, said that for the time being he and his family had fled to Tandurusa Bitung at his relative's house.

"For the time being, we first fled to Bitung, with seven families," he said.

He said that due to the eruption of Mount Ruang, the house where he lived in Bahoy Tagulandang Village was damaged.

"The roof of the house, the ceiling is leaking and the goods are causing damage," he said.

KRI Kakap-811 arrived at the Sattrol pier of the VIII Indonesian Navy Main Base (Lantamal), in Bitung City at around 22.00 WITA, carrying 327 refugees from children to the elderly.