Indonesia debunks hoax video of Mount Anak Krakatau eruption

Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) has issued a warning against misleading information circulating online regarding Mount Anak Krakatau. The alert comes after a video depicting a large volcanic eruption at night went viral on social media, causing public concern.

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All official information regarding Anak Krakatau Volcano's activities is only conveyed through the official channels of the Geological Agency or PVMBG and MAGMA Indonesia.

The PVMBG has officially confirmed that the widely shared video, reportedly recorded from a ship, does not show a recent eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau. They emphasize that the footage, featuring a vertical explosion of fire, is false and constitutes a hoax. The agency urges the public not to believe or disseminate unverified information.

While the viral video is false, Mount Anak Krakatau has indeed experienced eruptions. Official monitoring data indicates two eruptions occurred on July 2 and July 3, 2026. However, the volcanic activity remains under intensive supervision. Lana Saria, acting head of the Geological Agency, stated that all official information is disseminated through the agency's official channels and MAGMA Indonesia.

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The current official recommendation is that the public, tourists, and fishermen are not allowed to engage in activities within a three-kilometer radius from the center of Anak Krakatau Volcano's eruption.

Mount Anak Krakatau is currently at Alert status (Level III). The PVMBG has clarified that the danger radius is officially set at three kilometers from the volcano's eruption center, not five kilometers as rumored. Residents in coastal areas of Banten and Lampung provinces are advised to remain calm, disregard tsunami rumors, and follow guidance from local disaster mitigation agencies.

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People in the coastal areas of Banten and Lampung provinces are advised to remain calm and not to believe rumors about the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau Volcano that may cause a tsunami, and to carry on with their activities as usual while always following the local BPBD's guidance.