Experts check on Bromo activity

ID Nugroho and Jongker Rumthe, Probolinggo/Manado

Rescuers searched on Wednesday for more victims reported missing after the eruption of Mount Bromo, a popular tourist spot in Probolinggo regency, East Java, as experts checked for signs of further major eruptions.

The 2,392 meter-high volcano spewed black smoke and hot ash on Tuesday without any warnings issued by volcanologists and killed two hikers, including a Singaporean.

Hendrasto, head of the national volcanology agency for East and Central Java, said Tuesday's eruption was unpredictable, unlike previous eruptions from volcanoes across Indonesia.

"The seismograph did not record preliminary quakes from Mount Bromo, then suddenly there was an eruption. There was no indication upon which volcanologists could make any predictions," he said.

Hendrasto was speaking in Probolinggo as he assisted a team of geologists and volcanologists studying the mountain to uncover the cause of the eruption and assess whether the volcano was still dangerous.

On Wednesday, minor eruptions were detected from Bromo, which has now been closed to the public to prevent further casualties and injuries.

Team leader Atje Purbawinata warned that aftershocks usually followed a major eruption.

"A volcano will continue belching white smoke from its crater after an eruption," he added.

Search and rescue team head Ketip Sudarsono said no additional victims were found on Wednesday despite reports that at least three flower sellers were missing after the disaster.

"But we will continue the search to verify the reports from local villagers," he told The Jakarta Post.

One survivor, Naki, said he was hit by a shower of rocks the size of volleyballs from the crater, but took cover behind a large boulder.

"I was able to reach shelter but two fellow hikers, Muhammad Nurhakim and Eko Cahyono, did not survive," he said.

The bodies of the two fatalities, Nurhakim, 13, a Singaporean and Eko, a tourist from Surabaya, were taken to Dr. Soetomo General Hospital for an autopsy.

Naki said he was climbing to the crater with six other hikers, including Nurhakim and Eko, and the volcano erupted unexpectedly as they neared the peak.

Naki and four other hikers -- Muhammad Hasan of Singapore and Indonesians Eka Aryani, Dewi Kurniawati and Eko Riawan -- were all injured in the eruption.

Meanwhile, on Sangihe Island in North Sulawesi, many refugees began exhibiting signs of respiratory problems from breathing in black smoke and ash discharged by Mount Awu.

"If the shower of ash continues to descend, we will all surely become ill," said Ronald Abbas, 46.

Ronald was among the more than 4,000 residents who fled the erupting 1,320 meter volcano and were given shelter in schools, government buildings and houses of worship in Sangihe's main town of Tahuna.

Ronald said he and other refugees were relieved that the volcano had calmed down, although it still spewed black smoke and ask.

"Mount Awu is not showing signs of danger anymore, but Regent Winsulangi Salindeho has asked us not go home just yet," he added, referring to the Sangihe regent.

Sangihe health office head Hanny Tandayu confirmed that a number of refugees had come down with respiratory illnesses and warned that others could also ail if the mountain continued to erupt.

"Masks should be sent here immediately. Otherwise, there will be more victims and we will not be able to cope with so many," she said.

Mount Awu had a major eruption in August 1966, killing 40 people. It last erupted in October 1992.

Indonesia has more active volcanoes than any other nation in the world, and minor eruptions are common.

One of the largest volcanic eruptions in history was the Aug. 27, 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatau in the Sunda Strait, when the entire top of the mountain blew off and more than 36,000 people were killed, mostly by huge tidal waves. It is said that ash from Krakatau circumvented the globe, creating magnificent sunsets over the following year.