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)