900 Evacuated, 170 Climbers Rescued After Semeru Eruption

On November 20, 2025, Indonesia's Semeru volcano, the highest peak on the island of Java (3,676 m), continues its violent activity after a powerful eruption the previous day. The natural disaster has forced authorities to evacuate more than 900 residents and rescue 170 climbers on the mountain slope, while the dynamics of the eruption have been captured in a number of impressive videos.

The eruption was accompanied by shocking manifestations of nature's destructive power. The volcano spewed a huge column of ash that reached a height of up to 16.5 kilometers, creating a serious danger for aviation and leading to the declaration of a red level alert. In parallel, pyroclastic flows—deadly mixtures of superheated ash, gases, and rock fragments with temperatures reaching 1000°C and speeds of 160 km/h—slid down the mountain slopes. These flows reached a distance of up to 13 km, destroying infrastructure in their path, including the Gladak Perak bridge, residential houses, and forest areas.

Large-scale evacuation works have been carried out in the disaster zone. More than 900 people have been evacuated from the villages of Supiturang and Sumbermujur in the Lumajang district, which were completely covered by a thick layer of ash. In addition, rescuers managed to move 170 climbers who were at the Ranu Kumbolo camp, just 6.4 km from the crater, to a safe place. The authorities have raised the danger level to IV, strictly prohibiting entry into a 13-kilometer zone around the volcano. There are no reports of casualties, but the risks remain high.

This is one of Semeru's most powerful eruptions since the tragic event of 2021, which at that time claimed the lives of 51 people. Located in the "Pacific Ring of Fire," Indonesia has 129 active volcanoes. Semeru is the most active and dangerous among them.