2 Magelang Residents Died Being Carried Away by Merapi Mudflow and Two People are Still Missing

The Magelang BPBD team is searching for victims of the cold lava flood of Mount Merapi (BNPB doc)

Two residents were reported dead after being swept away by the lava flood that hit Magelang Regency, Central Java, on Tuesday, March 3. The flood occurred after heavy rain hit the peak area of Mount Merapi and its surroundings, triggering the overflow of the Senowo River in Dukun District.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari revealed that two dead victims had been found.

"The victims who died and were successfully found today, each on behalf of Heru Setyawan (25) and Arif Fuad Hasan (26)," said Abdul Muhari in his statement, Thursday, March 5.

In addition to the two victims who died, two other residents are still missing and are in the process of being searched by the joint SAR team. Meanwhile, six residents who were injured have received intensive medical treatment.

Based on the latest report, the condition of the lava flood in the affected area has gradually receded. Even so, the search operation for missing victims will resume on Thursday, March 5, with the addition of personnel and heavy equipment support to accelerate the evacuation process.

"In addition to the two victims who died, until now two other people are still missing and are in the process of being searched by the joint SAR team. Meanwhile, six residents who were injured have received intensive medical treatment," said Abdul Muhari.

In terms of the impact of damage, the lava flood also resulted in material losses. The temporary data collection of the Magelang Regency BPBD recorded one truck being swept away by the current, one bridge was cut off, and three other bridges were damaged.

Overall, this lava flood has an impact on eight villages spread across three sub-districts, namely Dukun, Sawang, and Mungkid sub-districts.