The activity of the Indonesian volcano Semeru slowed down on Monday, December 6, the efforts of the emergency services, which found 22 bodies, according to a latest report, after the spectacular eruption which devastated several villages this weekend.

The highest peak of the island of Java projected Saturday, December 4 a vast plume of ash and caused waves of burning mud which invaded villages located on its sides.

More than a thousand panicked residents had to be evacuated.

In aerial photos, entire streets can be seen filled with piles of gray ash and mud, covering trucks or houses up to the roof.

The point in pictures.


Director:

Olivier JUSZCZAK

  • The highest peak on the island of Java, Mount Semeru, on Saturday threw a vast plume of ash and caused waves of burning mud that invaded villages on its sides.

  • "According to the data which reached us (...) there are 22 dead", against a toll of 14 deaths at the beginning of the day, announced the spokesperson of the agency of disaster management Abdul Muhari during d 'a Monday evening briefing.

  • At least "27 people are still missing and we are focusing on them in our research," said the spokesperson for the disaster management agency. 

  • In aerial photos, entire streets can be seen filled with piles of gray ash and mud, covering trucks or houses up to the roof.

  • More than a thousand panicked residents had to be evacuated.

  • Ash from the eruption spread four kilometers, according to the Indonesian Geological Agency.

  • Some victims were buried alive in their vehicle, without having had time to escape, rescuers said.

  • More than 100 Red Cross volunteers come to the aid of evacuated families.

  • The Semeru, which rises to 3,676 meters, has known many eruptions in recent decades but rarely so destructive.

  • Its last major eruption was in December 2020. It had also caused the flight of thousands of people and covered entire villages.

  • Indonesia is located on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', where the meeting of the continental plates causes high seismic activity.

  • The Southeast Asian archipelago has nearly 130 active volcanoes.

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