Toxic crater open to public

Toxic crater open to public

SEMARANG: Central Java governor Soewardi played down yesterday
the danger of poisonous gas emitted by a new crater on Mt. Dieng,
saying the level of toxicity was so low it could be ignored.

The Banjarnegara area, a popular holiday resort, would not be
closed to the public, but the governor asked people to stay alert
for a possible increase in the level of toxicity.

"The area is very popular with holidaymakers. We have no plans
to close it at the moment," Soewardi said, reported Antara.

The crater was "discovered" on Dec. 31 by a group of farmers
from Karangsari village, who believe it was caused by the
geothermal mining exploration activities by PT Himpurna
California Energy Ltd (PT HCE). But officials said it was a
natural phenomenon.

Officials in charge of monitoring volcanic activity on Dieng
said the crater has been highly active over the past three days,
spewing smoke and mud five up to 15 meters into the air.

They said the crater spewed a high concentration of poisonous
gas Sunday, but caused no injury. (pan)