Semeru Erupts: A Day the Sky Turned Dark

 

Lumajang, November 2025 — Mount Semeru, the highest volcano on Java Island, erupted without warning and sent a towering column of ash 1,000 meters into the sky. Morning skies darkened in minutes as thick volcanic ash rolled over the slopes.

But amid the chaos, a remarkable outcome emerged: all 170 climbers on the mountain were safely evacuated.

A Calm Morning Turned Grey Within Minutes

The eruption began with a faint rumble, followed by light tremors felt around the summit area. Within moments, the Jonggring Saloka crater unleashed a forceful burst of ash, prompting climbers to immediately descend.

Local residents, familiar with Semeru’s unpredictable temperament, quickly secured their homes, gathered their families, and prepared for a possible evacuation.

Authorities from PVMBG confirmed that rising magma pressure—building since the major 2021 eruption—triggered the sudden activity.

170 Climbers Rescued in a Race Against Time

Thanks to swift coordination between guides, rescuers, BPBD officers, and local volunteers, all climbers on Semeru’s hiking routes were guided to safety.

This successful evacuation highlights increasing preparedness and improved emergency response around one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes.

Danger Still Looms Around Semeru

Authorities raised the alert status and issued warnings for several high-risk zones, especially along the Besuk Kobokan river path — a known route for pyroclastic flows and lahars.

Residents are urged to:

• Stay out of the designated hazard radius

• Wear masks due to drifting volcanic ash

• Avoid river channels connected to Semeru

• Follow all PVMBG instructions without delay

Meanwhile, all hiking and tourism activities near Semeru have been temporarily suspended.

Resilience: The Spirit of East Java’s Communities

For the people of Lumajang and Malang, Mount Semeru is both a symbol of pride and a reminder of nature’s power. Each eruption reshapes their routines—but never their resilience.

As ash settles and the mountain rumbles on, one thing remains constant: the community’s unwavering strength, unity, and hope.

Sources

• Al Jazeera – Climbers at Indonesia’s Mount Semeru safe after sudden volcanic eruption.

• Media Indonesia – Gunung Semeru Kembali Meletus, Letusan Terbaru Sejak 2021.

• ABC News – Indonesia raises alert for Mount Semeru to highest level.

• ANTARA News – Gunung Semeru erupsi dengan letusan 1 km.

Violence in School Cannot Be Treated as a Prank

 

Tangerang Selatan, 17 November 2025 A shocking case at SMPN 19 Tangerang Selatan, where a 13-year-old student identified as MH was allegedly struck on the head with a metal chair by a classmate, has reignited public concern about the safety of Indonesia’s school environment. Schools should be places of growth and protection, yet this incident exposes how fragile that safety truly is.

What Happened

• The incident occurred inside a classroom and allegedly involved the use of a metal chair as a weapon.

• The student suffered a serious head injury, followed by complications such as impaired vision and physical weakness.

• The child was rushed to the hospital and is undergoing treatment with ongoing psychological concerns.

• The Komisi Perlindungan Anak Indonesia (KPAI) urged that the case be handled through a legal process rather than informal mediation.

Sources:
TangerangUpdate.com | Prudensi.com | AktualTangerang.com

Why This Matters

Schools should be safe zones for learning and growth. When a student is attacked inside the classroom, the institution meant to protect becomes the scene of violence. That shift signals a breakdown in supervision, culture, and policy.

The visible injury is just the beginning. Physical wounds may heal, but the emotional scars last far longer: fear of returning, damaged trust in peers and teachers, academic decline, and potential lifelong trauma.

Responsibility is collective. This isn’t just about the perpetrator and victim; it involves the school, teachers, parents, local education authorities, and policy makers. Each party holds a piece of the accountability.

What Must Be Done

For the School:

• Enforce clear anti-violence and anti-bullying protocols with zero tolerance for physical assault.

• Provide teacher training in early detection of conflict, establish accessible reporting mechanisms for students, and keep transparent records of incidents.

• Ensure follow-up support for victims, medical care, psychological counselling, academic assistance.

For Parents and Community:

• Be vigilant in noticing behavioural changes in children withdrawal, fear, changes in performance and act promptly.

• Foster an environment of open communication where children feel safe to report threats or incidents.

• Demand accountability from schools and local education boards protection of children is everyone’s mandate.

For Policymakers & Education Authorities:

• Move beyond policy documents: carry out regular audits of school safety measures, monitor compliance, allocate resources for mental health and rehabilitation of victims.

• Treat serious incidents as legal matters, not merely disciplinary ones. The call by KPAI for legal proceedings is a signal of the severity.

• Embed prevention in school culture: ensure that valuing empathy, respect, and non-violence is part of the curriculum and daily practice.

In Conclusion

This case at SMPN 19 Tangsel must serve as a wake-up call, not only to the institution involved, but to our entire education system. Violence in schools cannot be dismissed as “kids being kids.” Every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported in their learning environment. If we fail to act decisively now, the next victim will only underline the cost we’ve chosen to ignore.

It’s time to ensure schools are places of growth not of fear.