Sumatra: At least 11 hikers were found dead and three others were rescued by search teams that worked through the night to find people missing after the eruption of a volcano in the western Sumatra province of Indonesia, officials said Monday.
Mount Marapi on the island of Sumatra, with a peak of 2,891 (9,484 feet) meters erupted on Sunday, spewing an ash tower 3,000 meters into the sky that rained volcanic debris onto nearby villages.
“There are 26 people who have not been evacuated, we have found 14 of them, three were found alive and 11 were found dead,” said Abdul Malik, head of Padang Search and Rescue Agency, speaking a day after the eruption.
He said there were a total of 75 hikers on the mountain from Saturday who rescue workers were trying to account for.
Twelve were still missing and 49 had descended, some of whom had been taken to hospital, he said.
Rescue teams were working through the night to help bring mountaineers down to safety, West Sumatra’s natural resources conservation agency said.
The eruption, which occurred around 5:45 pm on Saturday, sent ash plumes 3,000 meters into the air, blanketing nearby villages in a thick layer of grey. The Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that 75 people were on the mountain at the time of the eruption, and the search for those still missing continues.
Mount Merapi is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, having erupted over 60 times in the past 100 years. Its fertile slopes, despite the danger, are home to thousands of people who rely on the volcanic soil for agriculture. This inherent risk was tragically evident this weekend, highlighting the difficult choices local communities face when living in the shadow of such a powerful natural force.
The Indonesian government has urged residents to stay vigilant and follow warnings from authorities. They have also advised people to wear masks and protective clothing to avoid inhaling ash, which can cause respiratory problems.
The full impact of this eruption is still unfolding, but the loss of life is a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature. As search efforts continue, the hope for finding more survivors remains, but the families of those lost are undoubtedly facing unimaginable grief.
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