Six villagers died after being exposed to pyroclastic cloud spewed by the mount, while one, identified as Ibrahim Sembiring (51) failed to survive after receiving treatment in the Efarina Etaham Hospital in Berastagi.
Meanwhile, spokesperson of North Sumatra Police precinct Adjunct Senior Commissioner Rina Sari Ginting revealed on Sunday the six dead victims were residents of Gamber Village namely Karman Meliala (60), Irwansyah Sembiring, Nanin beru Sitepu (50), Leo Perangin-angin (25), Mulia Ginting (45), and Ersada Ginting (55).
Two residents who were still in critical condition in the Efarina Etaham Hospital were Cahaya Sembiring (57) and Cahaya Beru Tarigan (45).
The local authority had prohibited any activity in the Gamber Village, located 5km from the Sinabung crater, since it had been declared as a red zone.
However, some residents who trespassed the area had a small window to escape from the sudden eruption of the volcano on Saturday evening.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
