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Viral video of Mount Anak Krakatau eruption turns out to be a hoax
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Viral video of Mount Anak Krakatau eruption turns out to be a hoax

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A viral video showing a large eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK) with fire bursts has been confirmed as a hoax by officials.
  • While the video depicted a dramatic eruption, the actual activity of GAK is currently less intense, though its alert status remains at Level III (Siaga).
  • Authorities urge the public not to believe unverified information from social media and to rely on official sources, while police have increased preparedness due to the volcano's alert status.

A video circulating widely on social media, purportedly showing a massive eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau (GAK) with fiery plumes, has been debunked as a hoax by monitoring officials. The dramatic footage, lasting about 10 seconds, depicted intense fire and thick black smoke billowing from the volcano's crater, sparking concern among netizens.

The video circulating is not the current condition of GAK. The activity of GAK happening now is definitely not like what is seen in the video.

โ€” Andi SuwardiAn official at the Mount Anak Krakatau Monitoring Post clarifying that the viral video is not representative of the volcano's current state.

Andi Suwardi, an official at the GAK Monitoring Post, clarified that the viral recording does not represent the volcano's current activity. He stated that the actual eruptions, with the last significant one occurring on Friday around 3:00 PM WIB, are not as depicted in the video. Despite the lack of recent major eruptions, GAK remains at Level III (Siaga) alert status.

Authorities are emphasizing the importance of relying on verified information from official channels such as the Geological Agency, BMKG, BPBD, and local governments. The public is warned against spreading unverified content that could incite public anxiety. The Lampung Regional Police have heightened their readiness by activating the 'Aman Nusa' Task Force and strengthening disaster response posts to anticipate potential impacts from the volcano's activity.

We urge the public, fishermen, and tourists not to enter the designated danger zone for their safety.

โ€” Andi SuwardiAn official at the Mount Anak Krakatau Monitoring Post advising the public to stay clear of the hazardous area.

Residents, fishermen, and tourists are strongly advised to adhere to the 3-kilometer exclusion zone around the crater, as recommended by the Geological Agency, to ensure their safety. The police are also increasing patrols along coastal areas as a precautionary measure.

We urge not to easily believe information circulating on social media if it is not from official agencies. Do not immediately spread information that has not been verified, as it can cause public anxiety.

โ€” Kombes Pol Yuni IswandariThe Head of Public Relations for the Lampung Regional Police warning against the spread of unverified information.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.