ESDM Ministry facilitates recovery, evacuation at Mt Semeru eruption-affected areas

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has deployed a disaster mitigation team to assist with evacuation and recovery in areas affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang, East Java.

Secretary-General of the ESDM Ministry Ego Syahrial noted that the disaster team comprised 104 personnel including 82 rescue staffs, six for logistics, and 16 medical workers.

"The disaster team was deployed and moved quickly to conduct evacuation and recovery in areas affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru. We will work together and continue to coordinate with the relevant agencies to aid the recovery process," Syahrial said in a press release on Monday.

Director of Engineering and Environment for Mineral and Coal Lana Saria remarked that 20 emergency response teams from 19 mining companies and one team from the East Java Mining Observer Communication Forum were facilitating the efforts.

The ESDM Ministry noted that 19 companies and a team from the East Java Mining Observer Communication Forum had dispatched an emergency response team to assist with recovery and evacuation in areas affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru.

This emergency response team will extend assistance to implement emergency response measures, support fulfillment of logistical needs, and assist in health recovery in areas affected by the eruption.

Saria explained that her side had urged the company to contribute by offering assistance in areas affected by the eruption by preparing an emergency response team, providing logistical assistance to disaster victims, and readying initial and advanced equipment regarding an escalation in the eruption of Mount Semeru.

To this end, the ESDM Ministry's disaster team also continues to coordinate with the Command Post for Disaster Mitigation Operations, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), and the Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

Mount Semeru in Lumajang District had erupted on December 4. The volcanic activity was indicated by pyroclastic flow moving towards Besuk Kobokan River, Pronojiwo Sub-district, Lumajang District, at around 3 p.m. local time.

According to the BNPB report, there were 14 casualties, while 69 were injured, and 5,205 people were evacuated. (*)