Dieng residents stay alert

Dieng residents stay alert

BANDUNG, West Java: The Volcanology Directorate is asking
people living around the Dieng plateau in Central Java to stay
alert for the possible spread of toxic volcanic gases following
tremors last week.

Director of Volcanology Wimpy S. Tjetjep warned Saturday that
the tremors, if they continue, may crack open the earth and
unleash the gases.

He said it is difficult to warn of any leakages because of the
speed with which the gases spread in the blowing winds.

The worst disaster occurred on Feb. 20, 1979, when poisonous
gases from one of the plateau's craters killed at least 149
people.

Tjetjep said his office has set up monitoring equipment in
eight of the most susceptible areas (17/rms)