Mount Sinabung Remains at Highest Alert Level

Jakarta6 (Antara) - Mount Sinabung in Karo district, North Sumatra, remains on the highest alert level, with eruptions observed twice on Friday, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said. The head of data and information at the BNPB, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said in a written statement here on Friday that the volcano erupted twice in the morning, at 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., spewing thick smoke 1,500 meters into the air. "The mount's activity is still high. There were three volcanic tremors and 32 low frequency earthquakes with 0.5-3 mm tremors," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho added. As many as 17,094 villagers, or 5,556 huoseholds, continue to stay in 31 refugee camps. About 688 joint personnel of the BNPB, the BPBD of North Sumatra, the Indonesian Military and Police, as well as volunteers have been deployed to help with disaster mitigation. The BNPB noted that some basic items, such as kitchen utensils, LPG canisters, masks, mattresses, water tanks and lamps are urgently required. The Health Department of Karo district will supply medicines to the refugees, while the supply of clean water will be provided by the Ministry of Public Works, Sutopo added. (*)