Indonesia volcano eruption death toll hits 25 (Includes Disturbing Picture)

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

The death toll following the eruption of Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano has risen to 25, officials say, amid fears of fresh eruptions.

Experts told the BBC that the ash levels had subsided a little, but that their readings suggested there would be more volcanic activity soon.

Thousands fled their homes on Tuesday as ash spewed out of the volcano, turning the landscape white. But many people refused to leave, and rescuers fear the death toll may rise. One rescuer, Christian Awuy, told the BBC that he feared up to 50 could have been killed. He said although 10,000 people had been evacuated, many had stayed behind.

The AFP news agency reported local officials as saying the man known as the volcano's spiritual gatekeeper, Mbah or grandfather Marijan, was among the dead. For many Javanese, Merapi is a sacred site.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11633213

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Covered in ash from Mount Merapi, a man is wheeled into a hospital in Sleman, Indonesia,
on October 26.

National Geographic http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/10/photogalleries/101026-indonesia-mount-merapi-volcano-eruption-world-science-pictures-photos/">Pictures: Indonesia's Mount Merapi Volcano Erupts

BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11627431">In pictures: Mount Merapi erupts

Earlier OP with more photos: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4588774#4589575">Indonesia on volcano eruption alert

[uppityperson]

1. Reminds me of Mt St Helens but with towns nearby. Nasty

that poor guy.

[Turborama]

2. It's going to get worse

They were just saying on CNN International that there's some tropical storms on the way and the seriously heavy rain is going to turn the ash in the cloud into pellets of concrete that travel really fast.

ETA I didn't mean worse that St Helens (but who knows), I meant worse than it is now.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. K&R. Even more disaster and devastation in that part of the world...

Just when we thought it couldn't possibly get worse. I hadn't seen this thread, posted a couple of updates on your original LBN post. Sounds like you have your hands full in more ways than one. Stay safe! :hi: :kick:

[Turborama]

6. Will do

I'm keeping a close eye on how things are developing. I can let you know which volcano I live at the base of by PM, so you'll know what to look out for too, if you like.

Thanks for the K&R & best wishes to you too, my friend. :hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

9. Thank you!

It's good to know that you're safe. And I would like to know, since I've been following this story. Unfortunately, it got eclipsed in the news by that awful Rand Paul supporter incident, but this is the number one story in the world right now and the pix I've seen are devastating... Stay safe. ;( :hi:

[Warpy]

10. Like St. Helens in that it produces pyroclastic flows

Unlike St. Helens in that half the volcano hasn't been blown off. Yet.

The huge bulge in the lava dome has vulcanologists worried that is about to occur. Huge amounts of pressure are built up within the lava, like fizz in a shaken bottle of soda. Nothing happens until you crack the cap, then it all blows out.

[depakid]

11. Reminds me more of Pompeii and Herculaneum

The ash covered figures are even more impressive- and certainly more moving than the frescoes.

[Turborama]

4. Jakarta Globe: Death Toll From Merapi Eruption Hits 30

Candra Malik, Dessy Sagita & Ismira Lutfia | October 28, 2010

Yogyakarta. The death toll from Mount Merapi’s eruption climbed to 30 on Wednesday, despite all the preparations and warnings.

“Twenty-seven of them died instantly when Merapi erupted, the other three in the emergency unit of Sardjito Hospital,” hospital spokesman Trisno Heru Nugroho said.

An official with the police identification unit, Rizal, said most of the victims suffered from severe burns.

Tutik, in her early 20s, came to Sardjito Hospital with her husband to claim the body of her grandmother, Mbah Pujo, who died in her home in Kinahrejo village. “My grandmother died during the eruption and I just found out that her body was brought here,” she said.

More: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/death-toll-from-merapi-eruption-hits-30/403640

[Turborama]

5. Photos of the "The ghost villages"

More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1324252/Indonesia-Tsunami-Earthquake-creates-ghost-villages.html

[Ganja Ninja]

7. I was just checking out the satellite view on google.

If that mountain blows there's going to be a horrific loss of life. Latest reports say the pressure is still building.

[Turborama]

8. Raw video of villages covered in ash

BTW, even though at first glance it doesn't look like it, that's a calf at 25 secs in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVitigd74lM