“Based on direct information at 09.20 from the head of BNPB, Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto, who is currently on his way to Lumajang, a total of 13 people were reported to have died as a result of the incident,” the National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) said.

“In addition, 41 people with injuries, especially burns, have received initial treatment at the Penanggal Health Center. Then they were referred to Haryoto Hospital and Bhayangkara Hospital. Meanwhile, other injured residents were treated at several health facilities, including 40 people being treated at the Pasirian Health Center, 7 people at the Candipuro Health Center, and 10 other people at the Penanggal Health Center,” the agency added.

Mount Semeru is an active volcano in East Java, Indonesia. It is located in the subduction zone, where the Indo-Australia plate subducts under the Eurasia plate. It is the highest mountain on the island of Java.

Semeru's eruptive history is extensive. Since 1818, at least 55 eruptions have been recorded (10 of which resulted in fatalities) consisting of both lava flows and pyroclastic flows.

On Saturday, the eruption began at 14:50 local time, ejecting a cloud of volcanic ash 40,000 feet (12,000 m) into the air.

The eruption is thought to have begun when a lava dome at the summit crater collapsed due to intense precipitation. (ILKHA)