Three babies born in refuge

Three babies were born as their mothers took refuge at an Islamic boarding school in Pasir Pogor, Garut, during an eruption of Mt. Papandayan.

Iin, 23, a resident of Naringgul village and Ani, 28, gave birth to male babies on Friday evening, while Saodah of Mekarsari village gave birth to her male baby on Saturday.

Ani said fear of the eruption had caused her to give birth prematurely.

"Thank God, my baby and I are safe," she said.

Deddy Herdiana, chief of the command post at the camps, said he had ensured the three women received medical assistance to help them care for their babies.

Some 4,000 residents of seven villages located on the volcano's slopes took refuge after the volcano erupted last Monday. --JP