The Lumajang Regency Government has officially denied the authenticity of a video showing an eruption of Mount Semeru, which circulated widely on the YouTube platform via the @bencanapopuler channel on July 3, 2026. The Lumajang Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) confirmed that the content is misleading information that cannot be accounted for.
The Chief Executive of the Lumajang Regency BPBD, Isnugroho, stated that his team had conducted an in-depth verification by matching the visual footage with official data from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG). The investigation revealed discrepancies between the video narrative and the actual volcanic activity reports recorded in the MAGMA Indonesia system.
"We urge the public not to be easily swayed by content whose truth has not been verified. The spread of such hoax information has the potential to trigger unnecessary panic amid the current condition of Mount Semeru, which is still at Level III (Alert)," said Isnugroho in an official statement on Saturday (July 4, 2026).
For reference, the BPBD noted that an eruption of Mount Semeru did indeed occur on July 3 to 4, 2026, with varying ash column heights; however, the narrative accompanying the video was confirmed to be misleading. The public is reminded to always rely on official information channels owned by PVMBG, Lumajang BPBD, and the Lumajang Regency Government as primary references in monitoring the latest situation.
To date, relevant authorities continue to enforce strict mitigation recommendations. Residents are prohibited from conducting activities within a five-kilometer radius of the crater and the southeastern sector along the Besuk Kobokan path up to 13 kilometers from the eruption center. Digital literacy and thoroughness in filtering information are key to supporting effective and safe disaster mitigation efforts for the community.
