The Lumajang Regency Government officially clarified that the video regarding the eruption of Mount Semeru, which has been circulating widely on social media since July 3, 2026, is false information or a hoax. The video uploaded by the YouTube account @bencanapopuler was deemed misleading and does not represent the real condition of the latest volcanic activity on Java's highest mountain.
The Chief Executive of BPBD Lumajang Regency, Isnugroho, urged the public not to be easily provoked into spreading unverified disaster content. This is crucial to maintain calm and prevent unnecessary panic among the public.
Based on an investigation by the BPBD team, which cross-checked the video narrative with official reports from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) via the MAGMA Indonesia system, significant data discrepancies were found. Authorities stated that the information was deliberately packaged with a false narrative to attract public attention.
Currently, Mount Semeru remains at Level III (Alert) status. The public is urged to adhere to safety recommendations, including a ban on activities in the southeastern sector along Besuk Kobokan up to 13 kilometers from the peak, as well as staying outside a five-kilometer radius from the crater to avoid the dangers of pyroclastic flows and lava avalanches.
The local government continues to encourage digital literacy among the public. Residents are expected to monitor volcanic activity developments through official channels of PVMBG, BPBD Lumajang, and the Lumajang Regency Government information portal as primary, accurate, and accountable references.
