[1/6]Mount Marapi volcano spews volcanic ash, seen from Nagari Batu Palano in Agam, West Sumatra province, Indonesia, December 4, 2023, in this photo by Antara Photo. Antara Photo/Iggoy el Fitra/via Portal acquires license rights
- There were 75 climbers, all locals, in the area at the time
- Many of the 49 people rescued on Monday were treated for burns
- Search operations continue after being halted following the second eruption
- Marapi is one of the most active volcanoes on the island of Sumatra
JAKARTA, Dec 4 (Portal) – Eleven climbers were found dead and 12 missing in Indonesia on Monday following the eruption of Marapi volcano in West Sumatra, a rescue official said, as search operations that were temporarily suspended over safety concerns resumed were recorded.
Three survivors were found on Monday along with the bodies of the 11 climbers, out of 75 who were in the area at the time of the eruption on Sunday, search and rescue team spokeswoman Jodi Haryawan said, adding that all about local mountaineers.
“We continued to search for the 12 missing climbers until this evening. We have not yet decided when we will end the operation,” Jodi said in a phone call, adding that they would continue with the evacuation of the three survivors and the bodies of the climbers.
On Monday, 49 climbers were evacuated from the area and many were being treated for burns, Jodi said.
It took about four to six hours to evacuate a body from the volcano, Jodi said, adding: “It’s very difficult.”
The 2,891 meter high volcano spewed ash up to three kilometers into the sky on Sunday.
Marapi is one of the most active volcanoes on the island of Sumatra and its deadliest eruption occurred in April 1979, killing 60 people. This year it erupted between January and February, spewing ash about 75 to 1,000 meters from the summit.
Authorities raised the alert level to the second highest level and banned residents from moving within 3 km of the crater.
Video footage showed a huge cloud of volcanic ash spreading far across the sky, with cars and roads covered in ash.
A small eruption on Monday morning caused the search to be temporarily suspended for a few hours. The eruption spewed volcanic ash around 800 meters high.
According to the volcanology agency, Indonesia lies on the so-called “Ring of Fire” of the Pacific and has 127 active volcanoes.
Reporting by Ananda Teresa; Edited by Martin Petty and Bernadette Baum
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