Mount Semeru eruption in Indonesia

(CNN) – Indonesian authorities said Mount Semeru erupted, causing evacuations and power outages on Saturday.

At least one person was killed and 41 injured in the eruption of the volcano, Indah Amperawati, deputy district director of Lumagang, said at a press conference in Jakarta.

Indah said the resident who died in Korah Kubokan was evacuated, and most of the injured burn victims were also taken to the Penangal Primary Health Centre.

Indah added that there are several other villages that the authorities cannot reach due to road closures due to heavy mud and fallen trees.

Monitoring reports of Mount Semeru volcano in Kandiburu province indicate increased volcanic activity and hot ash clouds falling towards Sabitaranj village in Pronogyo District, East Java.

At about 3 pm local time, the courier reported that volcanic ash was very clearly observed and smelled of sulfur, causing fog in the nearby areas.

Authorities warned residents to be careful.

This image captured and published on December 4, 2021 by the Indonesian National Disaster Management Board (BNPB) shows Semeru volcano spewing ash into the air during an eruption, seen from Lumajang. (HANDOUT/BNPB/AFP photo via Getty Images)

Mount Semeru is currently covered in fog accompanied by moderate intensity rain.

Indonesian authorities say thousands of villagers have been displaced. Budi Santosa, head of disaster management in East Java province, said Saturday live that emergency teams are still assessing the situation on the ground and need the next five hours to gather information on potential victims and displaced people.

He said there were two sub-regions that were “heavily affected” by the eruption.

Bodhi Santosa said he believes that health facilities in the disaster area, whether they are primary health centers or hospitals, can house all potential victims.

His team is currently trying to conduct evacuations and set up refugee camps in the area, which would provide food, masks, blankets and shelter for the displaced population.

Videos released by government emergency response teams showed residents fleeing thick clouds of smoke.

The video posted by local residents shows the residents of Bisuk Kobokan gathering at a mosque while waiting for emergency crews to evacuate them, as ash and smoke cleared the surrounding streets.

Indonesia, which is located in the so-called “Ring of Fire” in the Pacific Ocean, often experiences high seismic activity and earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur regularly.