The Lumajang Regency Government has officially issued a clarification regarding a video circulating on the YouTube platform that portrays a narrative about an eruption of Mount Semeru. The video, uploaded by the account @bencanapopuler on July 3, 2026, has been confirmed to contain fake news or hoaxes that do not reflect the current geological conditions of the volcano.
Acting Chief of the Lumajang Regency BPBD, Isnugroho, emphasized that the content is misleading and has the potential to cause unnecessary panic among the public. The BPBD conducted cross-verification by matching the visuals in the video with official volcanic activity reports from the Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia system.
Based on official data, Mount Semeru did erupt on July 3 and 4, 2026. However, the narrative accompanying the viral video does not align with the factual technical reports from PVMBG. As of now, Mount Semeru's alert status remains at Level III (Siaga/Alert), requiring the public to stay vigilant but unaffected by disinformation.
The local government urges residents to always rely on official information channels—such as PVMBG, the Lumajang Regency BPBD, and Lumajang Regency Government communication media—as their primary reference. Digital literacy and thoroughness in filtering information before sharing it are essential to maintaining public calm and supporting disaster mitigation efforts in affected areas.
The public is reminded to strictly adhere to recommendations regarding restricted zones, specifically in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan up to 13 kilometers from the peak, and to refrain from being within a five-kilometer radius of the crater to avoid hazards from pyroclastic flows, lava falls, and lahar flows.
