We also consider the effectiveness of the operation since the likelihood of the victims being alive in such conditions is rather low.
Lumajang, E Java (ANTARA) - The search and rescue (SAR) operation for Mount Semeru's eruption victims in Lumajang District, East Java Province, was stopped on December 16, 2021, at 6 p.m. Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB).

"Following a joint evaluation with all SAR personnel and volunteers as well as family members of the victims, who have not been found, we agreed to stop the operation conducted for 13 days," coordinator of the operation Hari Adi Purnomo noted in a press release received here on Friday.

Purnomo remarked that in line with procedures, a standard SAR operation lasted for seven days. Meanwhile, the SAR operation for Mount Semeru eruption victims had been extended twice, for three days each.

"We also consider the effectiveness of the operation since the likelihood of the victims being alive in such conditions is rather low,” the coordinator pointed out.

However, the SAR team will continue to monitor the situation in case a report is received on the finding of the victims or another eruption occurring that requires the operation to resume.

On the last day of the operation, the team found two other body parts at 8:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. WIB in Curah Kobokan Village. The body parts were brought to Lumajang District’s Dr. Haryoto Regional Hospital (RSUD) for identification.

“The operation was then temporarily stopped at around 10 a.m. WIB due to another eruption that endangered around 350 SAR personnel and volunteers," Purnomo, concurrently head of the Surabaya City SAR Office, remarked.

Meanwhile, Head of the Operations Division of the Surabaya SAR Office, I Wayan Suyatna, confirmed that all personnel from Surabaya had returned to the command headquarters.

However, several SAR volunteers were still in Lumajang District.

"The Lumajang District Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) will take charge of all SAR volunteers, who are still at the Mount Semeru eruption site," Suyatna noted.

Furthermore, he stated that amid the operation, 48 intact bodies and seven body parts had been found and sent to RSUD Dr. Haryoto to be identified by the Disaster Victims Identification Team of the Indonesian National Police.

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Translator: Zumrotun Solichah, Uyu Liman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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