Death toll rises to 37 as flash floods and cold lava flow hit Indonesia’s Sumatra island

Jakarta, Indonesia

At least 37 people, including several children, have been killed and more than a dozen others are missing after heavy rains triggered floods and landslides in Indonesia’s province of West Sumatra, reported news agency AFP citing a local disaster official on Sunday (May 12). 

What happened?

Two districts, Agam and Tanah Datar, in West Sumatra province were hit by a flash flood and a cold lava flow from Mount Marapi at around 10:30 pm (local time) after hours of heavy rains on Saturday (May 11), said Basarnas search and rescue agency, in a statement on Sunday.

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The rains also sent sweeping ash and large rocks down Mount Marapi, the most active volcano on the archipelago’s Sumatra island. 

“Until now our data shows that 37 people died: 16 in Agam and 18 in Tanah Datar. At least 18 others are injured. We are also still searching for 16 other people,” West Sumatra disaster agency spokesman Ilham Wahab told AFP.

He also said search and rescue efforts involved local rescuers, police, soldiers and volunteers. 

Cold lava, also known as lahar, is a mixture of volcanic material and pebbles that flow down a volcano’s slopes in the rain.

Search and rescue efforts

Earlier, on Sunday, nine bodies were identified, including that of a three-year-old and an eight-year-old, said the head of the local rescue agency Abdul Malik said in a statement. 

He added, “Today, we will continue the search in the two districts.” Images and videos on social media show large rocks and thick mud covering the streets of West Sumatra.

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos, videos and information shared on social media.

Meanwhile, the local government has set up evacuation centres and emergency posts across areas of the two districts.

Local authorities have also dispatched a team of rescuers and rubber boats to look for those missing as well as transport people to shelters. 

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The recent floods also came around a week after landslides and flooding killed at least 15 people and swept away homes and damaged roads in the Indonesian province of South Sulawesi. 

Mount Marapi erupted late last year killing around 23 climbers who were caught by surprise by the eruption over the weekend which also led to an ash tower of 3,000 metres into the sky, which is higher than the volcano itself. 

(With inputs from agencies)