Tracing the footprints of 2010 Mount Merapi eruption victims in Maguwoharjo Stadium

Sun, October 27, 2019 / 08:05 am

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Two villagers ride a motorcycle to find safety at the Maguwoharjo Stadium. JP/ Boy T Harjanto
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An emergency response unit [Tagana] officer carries an unconscious elderly victim. JP/ Boy T Harjanto
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Tagana team members evacuate people following the Mount Merapi eruption in 2010. JP/ Boy T Harjanto
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A woman nurses her child at the evacuee camp in Maguwoharjo Stadium. JP/ Boy T Harjanto
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Soccer supporters sit in the lobby of the stadium, which is a sanctuary for the evacuees. JP/ Boy T Harjanto
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A member of the Indonesian Military (TNI) carries a victim to Maguwoharjo Stadium during the eruption of Mt. Merapi at dawn on Nov. 5, 2010. JP/ Boy T Harjanto
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The alleys of Maguwoharjo Stadium serve as silent witness to the victims of the Mt. Merapi eruption. JP/ Boy T Harjanto
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A supporter of PSS Sleman passes through a room under the stands used to host victims of the Mt. Merapi eruption in 2010. JP/ Boy T Harjanto

Boy T Harjanto

Maguwoharjo Stadium, the home ground of PSS Sleman soccer club, erupted in cheers. That afternoon the team, known as the Javan Eagles, was hosting Madura United in a League I match.The fans were celebrating a goal, evening the score 2-2.

This situation was in contrast with the time the stadium was used as an evacuee camp following the eruption of Mount Merapi in 2010. The eruption that happened in the middle of the night led to victims running for their lives, going through thick volcanic ash rain to the southern part of the mountain.

Mount Merapi erupted on Oct. 26, 2010.

After a fluctuating period over several days, the mountain erupted again on Oct. 29 that year, spewing hot clouds to the south. The peak of the biggest eruption occurred at dawn on Nov. 5 with a flood of lava up to 15 kilometers from the mountain peak. A major evacuation effort was conducted, with a camp set up at the Maguwoharjo Stadium located around 25 kilometers from the volcano. [kes]