A number of community health centers and hospitals in Lumajang District, East Java Province, on Saturday evening admitted dozens of residents who had suffered burns due to the pyroclastic flow from Mount Semeru.
"Our recent data recorded that there were 48 residents who suffered burns. However, the data is still premature since the officers are still evacuating the residents," Head of the Lumajang District Health Office Bayu Wibowo informed when contacted over telephone.
He said that the victimswho sustained mild to severe burnswere immediately transferred to community health centers and hospitals in the district.
"The severely injured people were moved to Bhayangkara Hospital, Dr. Haryoto Hospital, and Pasirian Hospital, while mild and moderate burnt victims were treated in community health centers," he informed.
Meanwhile, Head of Lumajang District Thoriqul Haq assured that all health centers and hospitals will be ready to handle victims affected by the pyroclastic flow from the volcano.
"I am also making sure that the elderly, children, and pregnant women are evacuated first. Furthermore, I ask all people to immediately evacuate to a safer place," he said.
Currently, a joint team of officers from the military, police, Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), and volunteers is still evacuating residents, he added.
For the time being, the evacuation points are located at the Candipuro and Pronojiwo sub-district offices, as well as the nearest village offices, he said.
"We are still looking for safer locations to evacuate the residents to," the head district added.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Mount Semeru showed increased volcanic activity, indicated by pyroclastic flow moving towards Besuk Kobokan River, Pronojiwo sub-district, Lumajang district, around 3 p.m. Western Indonesia Standard Time on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Agency (PVMBG) observed that lava avalanches slid a distance of approximately 500800 meters, with the center of the avalanche located approximately 500 meters below the crater. (*)
Editor : Abdullah Rifai
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