Sudden eruption at Dieng Volcanic Complex injures 10 tourists, Indonesia
A sudden phreatic eruption took place at the Sileri crater of Dieng Volcanic Complex in Central Java province, western Indonesia at about 05:00 UTC (12:00 local time) on Sunday, July 2, 2017. There were 17 people near the crater when the eruption took place. 10 of them suffered minor to moderate injuries.
The eruption spewed ash up to 50 meters (164 feet) from the top of the crater, emitting cold lava.
The 10 injured persons were within 15 m (50 feet) from the crater when the eruption occurred. They have been rushed to Batur Public Health Center for medical treatment, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the national disaster management agency, said.
Soldiers and police officers were dispatched to the scene, while local residents and visitors were asked to evacuate the area in case of further eruptions, Nugroho said.
Authorities banned visitors from entering the Sileri crater by a radius of 100 m (328 feet).
Kawah Sileri di kawasan Gunung Dieng meletus freatik setinggi 50m pukul 11.30 Wib. 10 orang luka-luka dirawat di Puskesmas 2 Batur. pic.twitter.com/21rX9MQxGF
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_PN) July 2, 2017
Below is a list of people located near the crater when the eruption took place and the injuries they sustained, as reported by Netral News.
1. Mirotun, 30 years old, address in Sabrang Village, Peninggaran Sub-District, Pekalongan Regency, no injuries (only exposed to mud).
2. Ayu Nur Aeni, 10 years old, same address as above, no injuries (exposed to mud).
3. Muzaefah, 32 years old, same address as above, no injuries (affected by mud).
4. Haromi, 55 years old, same address as above, right toe sprained.
5. Heti Handayani, 13 years old, same address as above, no injuries (exposed to mud).
6. Nur Holisoh, 24 years old, same address as above, blisters on left hand.
7. Zulfa Yanti, 9 years old, same address as above, no injuries (affected by mud).
8. Badru Utamam, 37 years old, same address as above, abrasions on the foot.
9. Moh Fidsa Aswa Muzafar, 2 years old, same address as above, blisters above the left ear and right arm.
10. Muh Zahromi, 50 years old, Driver, same address as above, no injuries.
11. Mutamimah, 31 years old, private sector, same address as above, no injuries.
12. Siti Hudifah, 30 years old, same address as above, no injuries.
13. Muainah, 44 years old, address in Kauman Village, Peninggaran Sub-District, Pekalongan Regency, suffered from broken left arm. (to be sent to Pekalongan).
14. Toyibah, 50 years old, same address as above, no wound/shocked.
15. Nurbaiti, 12 years old, same address as above, no injuries/shocked.
16. Cucu Nofalia, 26 years old, same address as above, no injuries/shortness of breath.
17. Ika Setiyani, 25 years old, same address as above, tear wound in the left of back head.
There are more than 20 craters at this volcanic complex but Sileri is the most active and most dangerous. Its last eruption took place in 2009, ejecting volcanic material up to 200 m (656 feet) and triggering the creation of three new craters.
In 1979, some 142 people were reportedly asphyxiated when the volcano spewed gases.
Update
A rescue helicopter sent to assist the evacuation of residents crashed three minutes before arriving at the scene. All eight people on board were killed.
Read more: Rescue helicopter crashes after eruption at Mount Dieng, Indonesia
Geological summary
The Dieng plateau in the highlands of central Java is renowned both for the variety of its volcanic scenery and as a sacred area housing Java's oldest Hindu temples, dating back to the 9th century CE. The Dieng volcanic complex consists of two or more stratovolcanoes and more than 20 small craters and cones of Pleistocene-to-Holocene age over a 6 x 14 km (3.8 x 8.7 miles) area.
Prahu stratovolcano was truncated by a large Pleistocene caldera, which was subsequently filled by a series of dissected to youthful cones, lava domes, and craters, many containing lakes. Lava flows cover much of the plateau, but have not occurred in historical time, when activity has been restricted to minor phreatic eruptions. Toxic volcanic gas emission has caused fatalities and is a hazard at several craters. The abundant thermal features that dot the plateau and high heat flow make Dieng a major geothermal prospect. (GVP)
Featured image: Eruption of Sileri crater at Dieng Volcanic Complex, Central Java, Indonesia on July 2, 2017
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