The Lumajang Regency Government (Pemkab) has officially denied the authenticity of a viral video showing the eruption of Mount Semeru. The video, uploaded by the YouTube account @bencanapopuler on July 3, 2026, is deemed misleading because it portrays an old event as a recent occurrence, thereby triggering public concern.
The Chief Executive of the Lumajang Regency BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency), Isnugroho, urged the public to remain calm and not rush to spread unverified disaster information. According to him, fact-checking is crucial to prevent public panic from spreading due to irresponsible content.
Based on a search through the MAGMA Indonesia system owned by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), BPBD Lumajang confirmed that the narrative in the video is inconsistent with the official activity data of the highest mountain on Java Island. The agency emphasized that information regarding volcanic status must always refer to official channels owned by PVMBG, BPBD Lumajang, and the Lumajang Regency Government.
To date, the status of Mount Semeru remains at Level III (Alert). The public is urged to comply with safety recommendations, including the ban on activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan up to 13 kilometers from the peak, and to maintain a safe distance of five kilometers from the crater to avoid the danger of hot clouds and lava flows.
The local government hopes that the community can improve their digital literacy by verifying every piece of information before sharing it. Prioritizing official data from authorized institutions is the key to supporting effective disaster mitigation efforts and preventing the dissemination of misinformation in cyberspace.
