Indonesia volcano eruption: 13 dead, 7 missing; Sumber Wuluh village coated in ash

A day after Mount Semeru in Lumajang district in Indonesia's East Java province erupted, spewing thick columns of ash more than 12,000 meters (40,000 feet) into the sky, death toll rose to 13 while seven persons are missing. In pic, volunteers watch as volcanic ash spews from Mount Semeru in Sumber Wuluh village. (Photo: REUTERS)

A thunderstorm and days of rain, which eroded and finally collapsed the lava dome atop the 3,676-meter (12,060-foot) Semeru, triggered the eruption, said Eko Budi Lelono, who heads the geological survey center. In pic, an aerial view of Sumber Wuluh village covered with volcanic ash following the eruption. (Photo: REUTERS)

Budi Lelono, who heads the geological survey center, said flows of searing gas and lava traveled up to 800 meters (2,624 feet) to a nearby river at least twice on Saturday. In pic, an Indonesian soldier walks in an area affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang, East Java, Indonesia, Sunday, Dec. 5,2021. (Photo: AP)

People were advised to stay 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from the crater's mouth, the agency said. In pic, people ride motorbikes down a road covered with volcanic ash at Sumberwuluh village. December 5, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS)

"Thick columns of ash have turned several villages to darkness," AP quoted Lumajang district head Thoriqul Haq as saying. In pic, Damaged houses are covered with volcanic ash at Sumberwuluh village, following the eruption of Mount Semeru volcano. (Photo: REUTERS)

The debris and lava mixed with rainfall formed thick mud that destroyed the main bridge connecting Lumajang and the neighboring district of Malang, as well as a smaller bridge, Haq said. In pic, villagers look at the broken bridge destroyed by the lava flow. (Photo:AP)

Several hundred people were moved to temporary shelters or left for other safe areas, he said, adding that a power blackout hampered the evacuation. In pic, a flower is covered in volcanic ash, following the eruption of Mount Semeru. (Photo: REUTERS)

Entire houses in the village were damaged by volcanic debris, National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said. In pic, a dead animal is covered in volcanic ash at Sumber Wuluh village. (Photo: REUTERS)

Television reports showed people screaming and running under a huge ash cloud, their faces wet from rain mixed with volcanic dust. The last time Semeru erupted, in January, there were no casualties. In pic, a man inspects damage to a truck in an area affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru in Lumajang. (AP Photo)