Particularly dangerous mudslides of ash and debris have flooded mountain villages on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and swept people away. At least 43 people died.
Severe storms on the Indonesian island of Sumatra have killed at least 43 people. Mudslides of cold lava and water fell on the slope of the Marapi volcano on Saturday after heavy rain.
A river overflowed its banks due to monsoon rain and a large landslide and cut its way through mountain villages. People were swept away and more than 100 buildings were flooded, said disaster protection spokesman Abdul Muhari.
Cold lava and mud have cascaded down the slopes of the Marapi volcano – a particularly dangerous mix.
More than 2,000 people brought to safety
According to civil protection, the rescuers discovered more bodies than expected; It was said that even more victims were expected. 15 people are still being sought. More than 2,000 people were brought to safety. Such mudslides – so-called “lahars” – are considered particularly dangerous because they occur suddenly and rush rapidly into the valley with their mix of mud, rock and debris.
Hundreds of police, soldiers and residents dug through the rubble with their bare hands, shovels and picks as rain, damaged roads and thick mud and rubble hampered relief efforts. Authorities struggled to get tractors and other heavy equipment into the area over washed-out roads. “The devastated area is so large and complicated that we urgently need more excavators and mud pumps,” said rescue unit coordinator Abdul Malik.
The 2,891 meter high Marapi is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. An eruption in December sent ash up to a height of three kilometers and killed more than 20 climbers.
Ibu volcano erupted on another island
The Ibu volcano on the island of Halmahera is also active again: according to the Indonesian government, it erupted today. According to the volcano authority, it emitted columns of smoke up to five kilometers high shortly after 9 a.m. local time. The country’s official page on volcanic activity states, a loud rumble would have been heard from the explosion and an earthquake would have been felt. The second highest warning level applies.
Authorities advised residents and tourists to avoid an area within five kilometers of the crater. People should wear masks and glasses outdoors to protect themselves from volcanic ash. Ibu is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, with more than 21,000 recorded eruptions last year. There have been no reports of evacuations so far.
Why Indonesia is particularly often affected
Indonesia is frequently shaken by earthquakes and has 130 active volcanoes. The reason: The country lies on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, the most geologically active zone on earth.
The island nation is also prone to natural disasters such as floods and landslides during the rainy season. In March, more than 20 people died after heavy rains in West Sumatra, and in April and May numerous people died in landslides in South Sulawesi.