The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) revealed that pyroclastic flow from Mount Semeru had claimed 48 lives, as of Monday, after the rescue team found two other bodies.
“Meanwhile, the number of affected people receiving outpatient care at the community health center and health posts reached 2,004,” Acting Head of BNPB’s Data Center on Disaster Information and Communication Abdul Muhari noted in a written statement received here on Tuesday.
In searching the bodies, the Search and Rescue Team (SAR) deployed 11 sniffer dogs from the National Police Headquarters, East Java Regional Police, and Malang Resort Police.
In addition, dozens of heavy equipment are deployed to clean the volcanic material and establish a road to connect the districts of Lumajang and Malang in Kamar Kajang Hamlet, whose work has currently reached 80-percent completion.
Furthermore, the agency noted that as of Monday, 18 victims of the pyroclastic flow were still receiving treatment at several hospitals.
The figure comprised 12 people at Dr Haryoto Regional Hospital (RSDH), two at Pasirian Hospital (RSP), and three at Bhayangkara Hospital. Meanwhile, another affected person was referred to a tertiary hospital.
In addition, four refugees were hospitalized at Penanggal Hospital, seven at RSP, and one at RSDH.
Furthermore, the Emergency Response Post for the Mount Semeru Eruption recorded that the number of refugees reached 9,977 people, who took shelter at 148 camps.
Lumajang District accommodated 9,754 refugees in 141 camps; Malang District sheltered 179 refugees in two camps; while Probolinggo District took care of 11 refugees in one camp.
In addition, Blitar District has one camp occupied by 20 refugees, while Jember District established three camps to accommodate 13 refugees.
The agency also warned people to conduct activities within a one-kilometre (km) radius of the volcano’s peak as well as within a five-km radius from the crater at the southeast and south sector of the mountain.
The community is urged to be watchful of pyroclastic flow, lava avalanches, and lahar — pyroclastic mudflow — along rivers and valleys originating at the peak of Mount Semeru.
“In addition, stay vigilant of likely avalanche along the valley of Besuk Kobokan River,” the acting head of the data center remarked.
Source: Antara News