A significant volcanic eruption at Mount Semeru in East Java, Indonesia, has sent a towering column of ash 17 kilometres into the sky, prompting urgent evacuations. Local residents from the Pronojiwo and Candipuro districts are fleeing as authorities respond to the crisis. The East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported that their Rapid Response Team is actively assisting in evacuating vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, to safer locations. The agency confirmed that the volcano's activity has escalated to a heightened alert level, with ongoing pyroclastic flows. Footage circulating on social media shows thick clouds of ash enveloping the sky, illustrating the severity of the eruption. The Australia Volcanic Ash Advisory has issued a red aviation warning due to the ash plume, which has reached an altitude of 54,000 feet. As the situation develops, local authorities continue to monitor the volcano's activity closely and provide support to those affected by the eruption. Evacuations are ongoing as safety remains the top priority for residents in the surrounding areas.