Video of Anak Krakatau Eruption from a Boat Confirmed as Hoax

The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has confirmed that a video circulating on social media showing an eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau from a boat is a hoax. Acting Head of the Geological Agency, Lana Saria, stated in Jakarta that after technical verification, the footage was found not to be a recording of recent activity from Mount Anak Krakatau. “The public is urged not to believe or disseminate unverified videos. All official information regarding the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau is only conveyed through the official channels of the Geological Agency, PVMBG, and MAGMA Indonesia,” Lana stressed in Jakarta on Sunday (5/7). The video, which is less than a minute long, shows at least two people recording a volcanic eruption accompanied by lightning using a device while on board a ship. Lana explained that monitoring data from the Geological Agency team indicated Mount Anak Krakatau had only experienced two minor eruptions recently, namely on Thursday (2/7) at 14.05 WIB and Friday (3/7) at 11.50 WIB, with observed ash column heights of approximately 200 metres above the peak each time. The Geological Agency also clarified circulating rumours regarding the expansion of the safe distance recommendation to 5 kilometres. This, she said, is not true, as the official recommendation for Level III (Alert) status remains at a radius of 3 kilometres from the eruption centre. Under this recommendation, the public, tourists, hikers, and fishermen are prohibited from approaching or conducting activities within the 3-kilometre danger zone to avoid threats from incandescent rock projectiles, lava, pyroclastic flows, and heavy ashfall. The Geological Agency has asked residents living in the coastal areas of Banten and Lampung provinces to remain calm and not to believe misleading issues linking the activity of Mount Anak Krakatau with the potential for a tsunami.