More fatalities and Merapi signals new eruption

More fatalities and Merapi signals new eruption

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Mount Merapi, which has already killed 46
villagers since last Tuesday, was showing new activity as of
yesterday.

Between Saturday and Sunday, the volcano jolted the
surrounding areas with two tremors and two earthquakes of low
frequency.

"These activities signal the possibility of a new eruption,"
an official of the local volcanology observation office told
newsmen here yesterday.

Five more patients who were badly burned by hot gas emitted
from the volcano died yesterday, bringing the number of those
killed to 46.

Until yesterday there were still 17 patients in serious
condition, one a four-year-old boy whose parents have yet to be
identified.

Mas Atje Purbawinata of the volcanology agency said yesterday
that judging by the new activities Merapi might spew new heat
clouds. But he could not predict when.

"The public should remain very alert, " Atje said.

He said the difference between tremors and earthquakes of low
frequency is that the former is recorded for a longer time on the
seismograph.

Atje said that the tremors caused by volcanic activity
usually indicate new eruptions, although final conclusions would
not be possible until after other parameters were taken into
consideration.

He also said that between 06.00 hours and noon yesterday
Merapi discharged lava 36 times and that such high frequency
should serve as a warning for the people, especially those living
along Code River, to remain on alert.

Over the weekend Minister of Health Sujudi visited the
survivors here and brought medical aid to the four hospitals
which treated Merapi victims: Sardjito, Panti Rapih, Bathesda and
Muhammadiyah, the last three of which are private hospitals.

Yesterday the stricken people, now housed in various shelters,
were also visited by Probo Sutedjo, a noted businessman, and
Coordinating Minister of Political Affairs and Security Soesilo
Soedarman.

Probo donated Rp 300 million and three truckloads of food
materials to the casualties. He said that the survivors informed
him they have no objections to the President Soeharto's offer on
Saturday to join the government-sponsored transmigration program,
rather than returning to their villages located within the danger
zones.

"They don't mind the offer as long the program is managed
properly," Probo quoted the people as saying. (har/wah/tis)