The first hydrothermal explosion since 2009 at the Sileri crater of the Dieng / Java volcanic complex in Indonesia occurred on July 2, 2017 at 12:00 local / 5:00 UTC.
The sudden hydrothermal eruption propelled hot water and mud to about fifty meters in height. From the 17 people that were close to the crater during the eruption, 10 have been injured. A helicopter carrying eight people crashed Sunday while on the way to help with evacuations near the volcano.
The eruption of the volcano, located in a popular tourist area, injured at least 10 people.
A helicopter from the National Search and Rescue Agency was carrying four crewmen and four rescuers when it crashed near Candiroto village in Central Java. Villagers reported having found the bodies of two people.
Earlier Sunday, Sileri Crater at Dieng Plateau spewed cold lava, mud and ash as high as 50 meters (164 feet) into the sky when it erupted.
The sudden eruption occurred at around 11:30 a.m., when there were about 17 visitors around the crater. Ten people were injured and were treated at a hospital.
Soldiers and police officers were dispatched to the scene, while local residents and visitors were asked to evacuate the area in case of further eruptions. A 100-meter-radius prohibited area was established around the crater … Will it be respected?
Sileri is one of the most active craters on the ten craters of the Dieng Plateau, a region much appreciated by tourists because of its mild temperature and the presence of Hindu temples dating back to the 9th century.
The last eruption of the Sileri dates back to 27 September 2009, with an explosion of materials 200 meters high. A major incident in 1979 caused the asphyxiation of 140 people following an emission of toxic gas by the near Sinila crater.
