20 Years After Indonesia Mud Volcano Eruption, Victims Say 'Nightmare Not Over'

In Java, Indonesia, Harwati clasped her hands in prayer by the edge of a mud lake. Dozens of residents gathered to commemorate the 20th anniversary of a mud volcano eruption that left over 10,000 people homeless. On May 29, 2006, the ground in Sidoarjo, East Java, suddenly split, spewing foul-smelling, boiling mud that swallowed villages and factories. A gas pipeline explosion caused by the disaster killed 13 people. The eruption has not stopped, destroying at least 12 villages and forcing tens of thousands to relocate. Harwati stated that the anniversary serves as a reminder to the government that residents are still suffering. There are conflicting theories regarding the cause: one blames the oil and gas company PT Lapindo Brantas, while the other attributes it to an earthquake. The company was ordered to pay compensation, but the process has been delayed for years. Environmental groups report that groundwater contamination has caused health issues among residents.