Experts check on Bromo activity<\/p>\n
ID Nugroho and Jongker Rumthe, Probolinggo\/Manado<\/p>\n
Rescuers searched on Wednesday for more victims reported missing
\nafter the eruption of Mount Bromo, a popular tourist spot in
\nProbolinggo regency, East Java, as experts checked for signs of
\nfurther major eruptions.<\/p>\n
The 2,392 meter-high volcano spewed black smoke and hot ash on
\nTuesday without any warnings issued by volcanologists and killed
\ntwo hikers, including a Singaporean.<\/p>\n
Hendrasto, head of the national volcanology agency for East
\nand Central Java, said Tuesday's eruption was unpredictable,
\nunlike previous eruptions from volcanoes across Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"The seismograph did not record preliminary quakes from Mount
\nBromo, then suddenly there was an eruption. There was no
\nindication upon which volcanologists could make any predictions,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Hendrasto was speaking in Probolinggo as he assisted a team of
\ngeologists and volcanologists studying the mountain to uncover
\nthe cause of the eruption and assess whether the volcano was
\nstill dangerous.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, minor eruptions were detected from Bromo, which
\nhas now been closed to the public to prevent further casualties
\nand injuries.<\/p>\n
Team leader Atje Purbawinata warned that aftershocks usually
\nfollowed a major eruption.<\/p>\n
\"A volcano will continue belching white smoke from its crater
\nafter an eruption,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Search and rescue team head Ketip Sudarsono said no additional
\nvictims were found on Wednesday despite reports that at least
\nthree flower sellers were missing after the disaster.<\/p>\n
\"But we will continue the search to verify the reports from
\nlocal villagers,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
One survivor, Naki, said he was hit by a shower of rocks the
\nsize of volleyballs from the crater, but took cover behind a
\nlarge boulder.<\/p>\n
\"I was able to reach shelter but two fellow hikers, Muhammad
\nNurhakim and Eko Cahyono, did not survive,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The bodies of the two fatalities, Nurhakim, 13, a Singaporean
\nand Eko, a tourist from Surabaya, were taken to Dr. Soetomo
\nGeneral Hospital for an autopsy.<\/p>\n
Naki said he was climbing to the crater with six other hikers,
\nincluding Nurhakim and Eko, and the volcano erupted unexpectedly
\nas they neared the peak.<\/p>\n
Naki and four other hikers -- Muhammad Hasan of Singapore and
\nIndonesians Eka Aryani, Dewi Kurniawati and Eko Riawan -- were
\nall injured in the eruption.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, on Sangihe Island in North Sulawesi, many refugees
\nbegan exhibiting signs of respiratory problems from breathing in
\nblack smoke and ash discharged by Mount Awu.<\/p>\n
\"If the shower of ash continues to descend, we will all surely
\nbecome ill,\" said Ronald Abbas, 46.<\/p>\n
Ronald was among the more than 4,000 residents who fled the
\nerupting 1,320 meter volcano and were given shelter in schools,
\ngovernment buildings and houses of worship in Sangihe's main town
\nof Tahuna.<\/p>\n
Ronald said he and other refugees were relieved that the
\nvolcano had calmed down, although it still spewed black smoke and
\nask.<\/p>\n
\"Mount Awu is not showing signs of danger anymore, but Regent
\nWinsulangi Salindeho has asked us not go home just yet,\" he
\nadded, referring to the Sangihe regent.<\/p>\n
Sangihe health office head Hanny Tandayu confirmed that a
\nnumber of refugees had come down with respiratory illnesses and
\nwarned that others could also ail if the mountain continued to
\nerupt.<\/p>\n
\"Masks should be sent here immediately. Otherwise, there will
\nbe more victims and we will not be able to cope with so many,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
Mount Awu had a major eruption in August 1966, killing 40
\npeople. It last erupted in October 1992.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has more active volcanoes than any other nation in
\nthe world, and minor eruptions are common.<\/p>\n
One of the largest volcanic eruptions in history was the Aug.
\n27, 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, when the
\nentire top of the mountain blew off and more than 36,000 people
\nwere killed, mostly by huge tidal waves. It is said that ash from
\nKrakatau circumvented the globe, creating magnificent sunsets
\nover the following year.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/experts-check-on-bromo-activity-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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