Mount Semeru Erupts, Evacuating 900 in East Java

Indonesia's Mount Semeru, the highest volcano on Java island, erupted violently on Wednesday afternoon, November 19, 2025, spewing pyroclastic flows of hot ash, gas, and rocks up to 13 kilometers down its southern slopes and forcing the evacuation of more than 900 residents from nearby villages in East Java's Lumajang district. Authorities raised the alert level to its maximum as the eruption blanketed communities in thick ash and stranded 178 climbers and support staff on the 3,676-meter peak, though all were safely rescued by Thursday with no casualties reported.

The eruption began around 2:13 p.m. local time and continued through dusk, producing multiple searing clouds that raced down the mountain, along with incandescent avalanches visible in the Besuk Kobokan River valley. A column of hot ash rose about 2 kilometers into the air, while plumes extended as far as 8.5 kilometers amid thick fog, according to Indonesia's Geology Agency. Officials expanded the danger zone to 8 kilometers from the crater and warned residents to avoid the river path, where lava flows and hot gases posed the greatest risk. Seismic activity remained elevated, with increasing signals of avalanches...