Indonesia raises alert level to highest as Semeru volcano erupts

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Mount Semeru in Indonesia erupted on Wednesday, with the country’s volcanology agency raising the alert level of the mountain to the highest status, Level IV.

The mountain spewed a column of smoke and ash about 2 kilometers (nearly 1.24 miles) above the peak in East Java’s Lumajang Regency, according to Antara News.

According to Kompas TV, Lumajang Regent Indah Amperawati called on the residents near the mountain to take safe steps by evacuating to locations prepared by the government.

A government statement said that the mountain has a Level IV status, the highest alert level in the country.

Semeru, which stands at 3,676 meters (12,060 feet) above sea level, is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes. It has a long history of eruptions, some of which have resulted in fatalities.

Indonesia, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences frequent seismic activity and has more than 120 active volcanoes.