Police chief asks all parties to understand forced evacuation

Thousands of people living in high danger zones around Mt Kelud in Ngancar, Kediri district, were evacuated since last Tuesday.

The evacuation was initiated after the alert status of the 1,731-meter-high volcano was raised from third to fourth level since 5.25 p.m. West Indonesia Time.

Ngancar subdistrict chief Budi Wahono said that 3,212 residents of Sugihwaras village whose homes were located only 10 km from the crater had been evacuated in 36 trucks.

Meanwhile, 3,215 residents of Sempu village had also been taken in 20 trucks to Segaran village in Wates subdistrict.