The Central Maluku Regency Government (Malteng) urges everyone to remain calm and continue their activities as usual. He stated this through Circular Letter Number 361/55/SE/2024 dated November 20, 2024. The Banda Neira community, Central Maluku, is urged not to believe or spread hoaxes about the Banda volcano’s status, which has entered level II or alert.
The Acting Regent of Central Maluku, Rakib Sahubawa, stated that the Central Maluku Regency Government (Malteng) requests everyone to remain calm and continue their activities as usual. He stated this through Circular Letter Number 361/55/SE/2024 dated November 20, 2024.
“We urge the public not to panic and to continue their activities as usual, such as going to school, fishing, trading, and so on,” said Rakib, quoted from Antara, Friday (22/11/2024).
In addition, the public is also urged to maintain a conducive atmosphere by not spreading false narratives or hoaxes and not being provoke by issues with unclear sources.
“The public is expected to always follow the instructions from the local government,” he said.
Not Engaging in Activities Within a 1 Km Radius
Rakib stated that the community around Banda Volcano and visitors or tourists are advised not to engage in activities within a 1-kilometer radius from the summit of Banda Api Volcano to avoid potential threats in the event of an eruption, which could include volcanic rock ejections, lava flows, pyroclastic flows, and/or toxic gas emissions.
Currently, it is reported that tourism activities in Banda Neira are still proceeding as usual. However, the local community is proactively following government circular instructions to ensure collective safety.
Banda Api Mountain is an active volcano with an elevation of 656 meters above sea level. This mountain is part of the Banda Islands, which once served as a major location for the spice trade.
In its history, the last major eruption of this volcano occurred on May 9, 1988, at 06:30 WIT.
This eruption ejected a column of gas and tephra up to three to five kilometers high, accompanied by a lava flow moving eastward towards Neira Island. This eruption killed three people, destroyed 430 houses, two mosques, and two school buildings.
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