Authorities for Indonesia’s Board for National Disasters (BNPD) have confirmed in a statement Sunday that at least 14 people are dead and 56 injured following the eruption of Mount Semeru in the East Java Province.
Among the wounded, 35 individuals were confirmed to be in critical condition after enormous clouds of ash engulfed several villages.
The eruption is said to have devastated the area, leaving some 1,300 people displaced and hundreds of homes completely destroyed. At least 33 schools have also been seriously damaged.
Officials of the Mount Semeru Observation Post warned residents to remain alert as the area is still extremely dangerous, confirming at least two pyroclastic flow events as of 10:00 AM Sunday.
Residents of Kurah Kobokan Village were evacuated while anyone within 6 miles of the volcano was urged evacuate as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Government has promised to provide relocation and financial assistance for the next 6 months to those displaced by the eruption.
