Enlarge image
After the outbreak: A man walks through Lumajang with a television set
Photo: Trisnadi / dpa
After the fatal eruption of the Semeru volcano on the Indonesian island of Java, the danger has not yet been averted: The head of the observation center for the volcano called on people to be vigilant, saying that "potential danger" still exists.
He called for people to stay away from the mountain.
Previously, there had been reports that troubled residents had returned to their homes to check on their properties and livestock.
The number of deaths has now risen to 15.
At least 68 other people were burned, said Wawan Hadi, chief of the local civil defense.
Local TV channels showed pictures of houses that were almost completely buried under ashes.
Around 1,500 people affected were temporarily housed in mosques and government buildings, it said.
The almost 3,700 meter high volcano in the east of Indonesia's most populous island erupted on Saturday and turned day into night with a huge cloud of smoke in the surrounding villages.
According to the authorities, the deployment of the rescuers was made more difficult by thick mud and the collapse of a large bridge between two districts.
Airplane pilots were instructed to change routes and fly around the volcano north.
The almost 3,700 meter high volcano is the highest mountain on Java and is located in the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park.
He has been increasingly active again since December 2020.
The island nation of Indonesia is located on the so-called ring of fire in the Pacific and has almost 128 active volcanoes.
This year the Merapi on Java, the Sinabung on Sumatra and the Lewotolo on Lembata had already erupted.
bbr / dpa / Reuters