Indonesia evacuates hundreds as Semeru volcano erupts on Java

INDONESIAN authorities moved swiftly to evacuate more than 900 people, including climbers stranded near the summit of Mount Semeru, after the towering volcano on Java island erupted repeatedly on Wednesday, sending ash, lava, and volcanic debris as far as 13 kilometres down its slopes.

Reuters cited today that the alert level for Semeru, standing at 3,676 metres and one of the country’s tallest peaks, remains at its highest as officials closely monitor volcanic activity. The eruptions occurred ten times in a single day, prompting urgent evacuation efforts by East Java’s disaster management teams.

“All climbers with their guides are safe,” said Septi Wardhani, an official at Semeru National Park. “The situation is under control.”

Footage from Indonesia’s volcanology agency captured massive clouds of hot ash billowing from the crater, blanketing the surrounding slopes in a haze of smoke and debris.

Authorities reported that 170 climbers who had spent the night at a lakeside campsite roughly 6.4 kilometres from the crater were being escorted to safety.

The emergency response also extended to nearby villages, with 956 residents relocated to schools, mosques, and government facilities. Prahista Dian, an official with East Java’s rescue agency, confirmed that dozens of personnel were deployed to search for any remaining residents who might be trapped.

“We’ve also deployed personnel to search for whether there are still residents trapped or not,” Dian said.

Mount Semeru, part of Indonesia’s Pacific Ring of Fire, last experienced a major eruption in December 2021, which claimed at least 51 lives and covered surrounding villages in ash.

Indonesia, home to around 130 active volcanoes, remains one of the most volcanically active regions in the world, where the convergence of tectonic plates frequently triggers earthquakes and eruptions.

The ongoing evacuation highlights the continued risks faced by communities near active volcanic zones, as authorities maintain heightened alert levels and disaster response operations to safeguard residents and visitors alike. - November 20, 2025