Sinabung Eruption Evacuees Celebrate Christmas at Evacuation Centers

Medan, North Sumatra (Antara) - Some 18,412 evacuees or 5,752 families affected by the Mount Sinabung eruption, in North Sumatra, celebrated Christmas service at various evacuation centers on Wednesday. Chief of the Mount Sinabung Media Center, in Kabanjahe, Johnson Tarigan, stated here on Thursday that despite the emergency situation, the evacuees were still able to celebrate Christmas. They also attended the mass and religious services during Christmas Eve, on Tuesday night. According to data, 18,412 people or 5,752 families are currently accommodated at 31 evacuation centers. On Sunday, at around 10 a.m. the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) raised the danger status of the volcano to a higher level, as it continued to expel volcanic rocks measuring 3 to 4 cm, up to 4 kilometers away, thereby making evacuation mandatory for the people living within the five kilometer radius of the crater. (*)