Death toll rises after volcanic eruption on Indonesia’s Java island

The death toll following the eruption of the highest volcano on Indonesia’s most densely populated island of Java has risen to 13, with seven people still missing, officials announced today (Sunday).

Smouldering debris and thick mud continues to hamper search efforts.

Mount Semeru in the Lumajang district of the East Java province spewed thick columns of ash more than 12,000 metres (40,000 feet) into the sky while searing gas and lava flowed down its slopes during a sudden eruption yesterday triggered by heavy rains.

Searing gas and lava travelled up to 800 metres (2,624 feet) to a nearby river.

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