BNPB Deploys Team to West Halmahera Amid Mount Ibu's Eruption Threat

TheIndonesia.id - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has dispatched a team to West Halmahera, North Maluku, in response to the heightened eruption risk of Mount Ibu. The team is tasked with providing emergency response and mitigating the potential impacts of the volcano’s eruption.

According to Antara News Agency, Abdul Muhari, Head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, confirmed that the team will depart from Jakarta for West Halmahera that evening. They will assist local authorities in preparing for both immediate emergency measures and the long-term effects of the eruption.

The team’s responsibilities include setting up evacuation facilities, identifying vulnerable and safe zones for local residents, and ensuring that early warning systems are in place to detect potential cold lava floods from Mount Ibu's crater. "We will utilize all available resources to minimize the disaster's impact on the community," Muhari stated during a press conference on Wednesday.

On the same day, the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) raised Mount Ibu’s status to the highest Level IV alert, following an increase in volcanic activity between January 1 and 14, 2025. The agency’s monitoring team recorded an average of 70 eruptions per day, with eruption columns reaching up to 4 kilometers high at times.

In addition, the period saw numerous seismic activities, including 748 eruption earthquakes, 70 avalanche earthquakes, and 1,643 gust earthquakes. Despite these tremors, the situation remains closely monitored by authorities to ensure the safety of the surrounding communities.