Hoax Over Mount Slamet Stirs Panic Among Residents

Purwokerto, Central Java, Sept 11 (Antara) - Central Java`s search and rescue officials have advised people who live around Mount Slamet not to panic over a hoax being perpetrated on the Mount`s rising volcanic activity. "There were reports about an irresponsible person who uploaded eruption activity of Mount Sinabung and mentioned that it was from Mount Slamet. This had gone viral and upset residents of surrounding areas," said central Java`s Search and Rescue coordinator Rudi Setiawan, here Thursday. Responding to the fake information about the Mount Slamet eruption, a number of people had got their vehicles ready to evacuate the area. To calm residents, the Search and Rescue team immediately made a visit to confirm the veracity of the eruption and realized it was a hoax. "We went there directly and talked to the local official to calm residents fears before they actually started to evacuate the area," said Rudi. The team has also asked the local officials to compare the picture of the erupted volcano with one of Mount Slamet, added Rudi. "We are advising locals around Mount Slamet not to be influenced by such information. Please be advised to contact the nearest volcano monitoring posts," added Rudi. Currently, Mount Slamet is showing volcanic activity such as hot ash that spewed out from the crater, but there is no need for people to evacuate. Earlier, a fire caused by hot lava was reported on the savanna that is located on the western slope of Mount Slamet which extinguished immediately before it spread to the local residences. Presently, it is still safe enough for people to stay in their homes, so there was no need for them to evacuate, said Rudi.