North Sumatra Regional Police Deploy 160 Personnel to Assist with Mount Sinabung Eruption Impacts in Karo; Security Patrols Prepared

The North Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumut) are preparing personnel to support rapid response, prevention, and mitigation efforts in the event of impacts from the Mount Sinabung eruption, which is currently on alert status.

Karo Police Chief, AKBP Pebriandi Haloho, stated that 16able 160 personnel from the North Sumatra Regional Police will be prepared to support the handling of potential disasters caused by the Sinabung volcanic eruption.

“The personnel consist of 90 Brimob (Mobile Brigade) members, 60 Samapta (Public Order) personnel, and 10 medical personnel,” said Pebriandi during an inspection of the Mount Sinabung Volcano Observatory (PGA) in Ndokum Siroga Village, Simpang Empat District, on Tuesday, 1 September 2026.

He added that the readiness of these personnel is a rapid measure by the North Sumatra Regional Police for the prevention and mitigation of potential natural disasters resulting from the eruption of Mount Sinabung.

“The North Sumatra Regional Police are preparing personnel so that they can move immediately to assist the community whenever required,” he said.

He explained that the assistance personnel from the North Sumatra Regional Police will be stationed at several locations within areas potentially affected by the eruption. Consequently, if conditions arise that require rapid handling, personnel can be immediately deployed to assist the public, including in evacuation processes and other necessary field measures.

Furthermore, he emphasised that this state of readiness is part of the synergy between the police, the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), local government, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and other relevant agencies in facing the developing activity of Mount Sinabung.

“We will station personnel at points deemed necessary, so that when there are developments in the situation and the community needs help, we can provide immediate assistance. Public safety is our priority,” he said.

He also urged the public to remain calm and not panic, but to increase vigilance and follow directions from officials and official information regarding the developments of Mount Sinabung’s volcanic activity.

Meanwhile, the Head of Criminal Investigation at Karo Police, AKP Hizkia Siagian, stated that his unit will conduct patrols to maintain security in the Karo region should residents be forced to evacuate due to the eruption.

“We will conduct 24-hour patrols to maintain security in the Karo area if houses are left unattended by residents fleeing the eruption,” he said.