YOGYAKARTA, 09 November 2007 - Hundreds of sulfur miners are still working in the crater of the Mount Ijen volcano in Bondowoso, eastern Java, because the activity of the volcano looks still normal. Despite this the alert status of the volcano has been raised to level II, 'on watch'. The volcanic activity of Mount Ijen is still continuing in the border area of the districts of Bondowoso and Banyuwangi.

A number of miners working inside the crater mentioned that they didn't worry about the current condition of the volcano. For those who work there, they are already known with the curiosities of the volcano while active, because it is capable of endangering lives. The miners also have contact with the people at the local observation post for Mount Ijen that is located in the subdistrict of Sempol. They gave the advise not to come too close to the crater however.

A fresh chunk of smelly sulfur is taken away from one of those drain channels. Sulfur builds up here, and with a piece of iron you can break it into big chunks to transport it. A 2006 file photo. © indahnesia.com & Mas Jondil

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