The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Lumajang Regency has officially refuted the authenticity of a video regarding Mount Semeru's eruption uploaded by the YouTube channel @bencanapopuler on Friday (3/7/2026). The Chief Executive of BPBD Lumajang, Isnugroho, stated that the narrative in the video is inaccurate and misleads the public.
The results of an investigation by the BPBD team, synchronized with data from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia system, proved a discrepancy between the video visuals and the actual conditions of the volcano. The BPBD urges the public to remain calm and refrain from hastily spreading unverified content to prevent mass panic in the affected area.
As of now, Mount Semeru remains at Level III (Alert). PVMBG continues to emphasize safety recommendations for the public to avoid any activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan up to 13 kilometers from the summit, and to adhere to a five-kilometer safe radius from the crater to anticipate potential pyroclastic flows and lava avalanches.
Isnugroho stressed that disaster mitigation efforts heavily rely on the accuracy of information. He encouraged the public to enhance their digital literacy by using official government channels—such as BPBD Lumajang, PVMBG, and the Lumajang Regency Government—as the primary reference for monitoring activity updates of the highest mountain on Java Island.
