"Hundreds
of residents of Siau, Sitaro Islands regency, North Sulawesi, have fled
to safer ground after Mount Karangetang erupted.
Mt. Karangetang erupted at 12:30 p.m. local time on Thursday,
prompting residents in Bebali subdistrict, East Siau district, in Siau,
Tagulandang and Biaro (Sitaro) Islands regency to seek refuge.
Thursday’s
eruption discharged lava and sent volcanic ash and pyroclastic flows in
the direction of the Batuawang River in East Siau district. The
eruption caused panic among residents, who fled the area. People
initially took shelter in the Bebali subdistrict office, but moved to
the East Siau district administrative office in Ulu after volcanic
activity increased.
Mt.
Karangetang Observation Station head Yudia Tatipang said the volcano’s
alert status remained the same despite the significant increase in
volcanic activity.
“The alert status remains at level 3. Pyroclastic flows frequently occur,” said Yudia by phone.
He
added that the volcano activity gave no signs of abating soon.
“Residents are advised not to return home until further notice,” he
said.
“This is the first time we have witnessed a massive eruption,” said Bebali district resident Junico Kasiuhe, 35.
According to Junico, Bebeli residents panicked and fled to safety.
“Residents
are terrified of the pyroclastic flows as they are rapid and hundreds
of lives could be lost in a matter of seconds. That’s why we immediately
took the initiative to evacuate,” said Junico.
Kanang villager Harto Narasiang said the wind had carried volcanic ash to Karalung and Kanang villages in East Siau district.
“The blanket of ash can be 2 centimeters thick and has affected roads in both villages,” said Harto.
Sitaro
Disaster Mitigation Center (BPBD) head Bob Wuaten said village
administration offices had evacuated about 2,000 residents.
“The BPBD has evacuated about 465 residents to three shelters from both villages,” said Bob.
Besides
the shelters, residents have also taken shelter at other residents’
homes. “We evacuated those living within a 200-meter radius from the
lava flow. Currently, four homes have been buried by volcanic ash,” he
said.
He
added that the North Sulawesi provincial administration, BPBD and the
local health office had provided relief aid. He urged residents to
remain alert and to wear masks, especially those living along the
Batuawang River.
East Siau district chief Wilman Panguliman said there was still volcanic activity as of Friday afternoon, although not as much as Thursday.
He added that aid supplies remained available, but evacuees needed mattresses and blankets.
Mt.
Karangetang is also known as Api Siau, or Siau Fire. It is one of the
most active volcanoes in Indonesia as it has erupted more than 40 times
since 1675 and has had undocumented innumerable minor eruptions. An
eruption in 1997 killed three people, while in August 2010 four people
went missing during an evacuation effort.
The
volcano is among a number of other volcanoes currently showing signs of
activity, including mounts Soputan and Lokon in North Sulawesi, Mt.
Gamalama in North Maluku, Mt. Slamet in Central Java and Mt. Sinabung in
North Sumatra."
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