Indonesia raises alert level as volcano near Bali erupts

A volcano on Indonesia’s main island of Java erupted on Wednesday, sending towering columns of ash and blistering gas high into the sky and prompting authorities to raise the alert level to its highest category. The eruption of Mount Semeru, one of the country’s most active volcanoes, occurred at 2:13 pm local time (0713 GMT), unleashing dangerous pyroclastic flows down its slopes, according to Indonesia’s geological agency chief, Muhammad Wafid.

Located in eastern Java, roughly 310 kilometres west of the tourism hub of Bali, Mount Semeru erupted with enough force to propel ash up to 8.5 kilometres into the atmosphere, the local disaster agency reported. Wafid noted that heavy fog around the summit complicated precise measurement but confirmed that seismic activity remained “high,” indicating the possibility of further eruptions.

Authorities immediately imposed a strict no-go zone extending an eight-kilometre radius around the crater and peak, warning residents and visitors that flying rocks, ashfall and pyroclastic surges posed severe risks. “The public is advised not to engage in activities within an 8 kilometre radius of the crater,” Wafid said, stressing the unpredictable nature of the ongoing volcanic activity.

As of Wednesday evening, there were no reports of casualties or mandatory evacuations. Emergency teams continue to monitor nearby villages, though the eruption has not yet triggered widespread displacement. Officials at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport said flight operations remained normal, with no disruptions to air travel despite the plume drifting high above eastern Java.

Memories remain fresh of Semeru’s deadly eruption in 2021, which claimed more than 50 lives, destroyed over 5,000 homes, and forced nearly 10,000 people to flee. Wednesday’s eruption, though powerful, had not as of yet caused comparable impact, but authorities remain on alert for further activity.

Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a tectonically volatile zone where continental plates meet, creating one of the most active volcanic regions in the world. With nearly 130 active volcanoes, the country faces frequent eruptions, earthquakes and seismic disturbances—events that remain a constant challenge for both local communities and disaster management officials.