Overview
- Indonesia’s geological agency reported a dense ash column rising about two kilometers and pyroclastic flows traveling up to seven kilometers down the slopes.
- Authorities raised the alert to the highest level and warned residents and tourists to avoid river valleys and restricted zones.
- More than 300 people were evacuated from vulnerable villages in Lumajang district, with no injuries or deaths reported.
- Officials released photos of the eruption via the Geological Agency and AP, and widely shared videos showed a pyroclastic flow passing under a bridge as onlookers filmed.
- Semeru, Java’s highest peak, is regularly active, with a major eruption in late 2022 and an earlier event that killed at least 39 people.