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Semeru Eruption Forces Highest Alert, Evacuations and Rescue of Stranded Climbers in East Java

Officials cite continued activity in maintaining the top alert.

Overview

  • Authorities kept Mount Semeru at Level IV after at least 10 eruptions sent pyroclastic flows and hot avalanches up to about 13 km down its slopes.
  • Roughly 900–956 residents were evacuated to shelters, and about 170–178 climbers stranded at Ranu Kumbolo were guided to safety, with no confirmed fatalities.
  • Indonesia’s geology agency advises staying beyond an 8 km radius and away from the Besuk Kobokan river corridor, with a wider danger zone under consideration.
  • Australia’s Darwin VAAC issued a red aviation advisory; carriers said operations continued as they monitored ash movement.
  • Ash-plume heights reported by satellite and VAAC reached up to 17.9 km, while ground observations cited around 2 km, and monitoring shows elevated seismic signals.