Mount Karangetang on Siau Island again showed significant volcanic activity on Sunday (12/7/2026). This phenomenon was characterized by spewing volcanic material and incandescent lava flows observed from the peak crater, reinforcing the volcano's status, which is currently at Level II (Alert).
Responding to this situation, the Acting Regent of the Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) Islands, Heronimus Makainas, officially issued an appeal to the public to remain calm and not be influenced by disinformation. Although it has been confirmed that there are no reports of casualties or physical damage, the local government emphasized that the safety of residents remains the top priority in managing this disaster.
Makainas emphasized that residents living on the slopes of the mountain should not enter the danger zones established by the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG). Compliance with these instructions is deemed crucial to minimize the risk of fatalities, given the highly active nature of the volcano and the potential for a sudden increase in activity.
As a preventive measure, the Sitaro Regency Government has instructed all ranks, from the sub-district to the village level, to coordinate intensively with the BPBD (Regional Disaster Management Agency), TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), and Polri (National Police). This cross-sectoral synergy is expected to ensure the accuracy of information received by the public and ensure the readiness of emergency response procedures should the threat escalate in the future.
The local government continues to communicate with the PVMBG to monitor the latest developments in crater activity. Citizens are asked to keep monitoring official government information channels and remain vigilant regarding future changes to the volcano's status.
