Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s disaster agency said 615 residents had been evacuated to shelters as authorities sought to protect communities in North Sumatra’s Karo District from Mount Sinabung’s eruption.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB)’s Acting Head of Disaster Data, Information, and Communications, Berton SP Panjaitan, said here Wednesday that the evacuation followed heightened volcanic activity after a major eruption earlier this week.
“Preliminary data show that about 211 families, or 615 residents of Kuta Tengah Village, are now at the emergency response shelter in Sukatepu Village,” he said.
Berton said evacuations prioritized residents living near danger zones, including Kuta Tengah and Payung Villages, which are exposed to potential eruptions from Sinabung.
“Residents of Payung Village remain at home but are on full alert under the monitoring of the joint response team,” he said.
BNPB’s Operations Control Directorate confirmed that the mass evacuation followed the Geological Agency’s decision to raise Sinabung’s alert level from Level II (Watch) to Level III (Alert).
The volcano had earlier sent a thick ash column 3,500 meters above its summit.
To protect residents, authorities have expanded the danger zone. BNPB urged residents and tourists to avoid evacuated villages, areas within three kilometers of the summit, and sectors extending six kilometers southeast.
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Translator: M.Riezko BEP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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