Experts check on Bromo activity

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.