TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) public relation chief Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said the impact of the eruption of Anak Krakatau would not be as big as the eruption of Krakatoa volcano in 1883.

“The eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau will be small, unlike the Krakatoa eruption in 1883, since the size is also different,” said Sutopo at his office in Jakarta, Friday, December 28.

He said the diameter of Anak Krakatau was only around two kilometers while Mount Krakatoa was a six-fold diameter, which was 12 kilometers.

Sutopo called on the people who live around Mount Anak Krakatau to increase awareness but remain calm.

“Keep referring to official information from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG),” he said.

Mount Krakatau or Krakatoa in the Sunda Strait erupted in 1883, preceded by several seismic activities. The sound was even heard up to Australia and Mauritius. The Krakatoa eruption was also reported to have caused a tsunami in South Africa.

Meanwhile, the volcanic activity of Mount Anak Krakatau on Saturday, December 22, has caused the Sunda Strait tsunami. Five regencies affected by the disaster include Pandeglang and Serang in Banten, South Lampung Province, as well as Pesawaran and Tanggamus in Lampung.

Until Friday, December 28, the death toll reached 426 people. The mountain is currently on alert status level III, since Thursday, December 27.

ANTARA