2023-07-08 21:06:22
Climbing to the top of La Soufrière is not easy. It is deserved. Those who venture there must be in good physical shape, duly equipped and no one must defy the ban on venturing around the dome, in compliance with the prefectural decree of January 14, 2019. The authorities and the National Park recalled these fundamentals, for the anniversary of the 1976 eruption.
For a good cause, teams from the National Gendarmerie and the Guadeloupe National Park (PNG) faced the slopes of La Soufrière this Saturday, July 8, 2023. On this anniversary of the 1976 volcanic eruption, the authorities have would like to remind local and passing visitors that a security perimeter has been set up around the crater.
Everyone can access the summit of Soufrière de Guadeloupe, but the area around the crater is only authorized for approved professionals, due to the risks. • ©Bruno Pansiot-Villon
This zone thus delimited has been the subject of a prefectural decree since January 14, 2019; it is forbidden to enter it, on pain of penalties. It is above all a question of safety, for walkers, since there is a risk of steam release and landslide, beyond 1467 meters.
To climb Soufrière, the public must follow several safety instructions. It is also good to check the weather before the ascent. • ©Bruno Pansiot-Villon
Thus, in the greyness, the rain and a steady wind, three environmental inspectors from the Park and seven gendarmes went up there, for an operation to control the area prohibited from accessing the Soufrière dome. Objective: to check that the instructions are followed.
It turns out that with the bad weather, few people ventured there and, fortunately, never beyond the markup.
Good for today. But the message of prevention must still be conveyed:
(…) Today, it’s true that we have rain, so we don’t have the expected audience. But, we are in vacation period; it will change in the next few days. So this message must be able to get through: we have an area where a lot of fumaroles have been reactivated for a few months and, therefore, not being there is all “beneficial” for everyone (…).
Patrice Segretier, sports and nature technician in the PNG, referent of the volcano
Patrice Segretier, sports and nature technician at the PNG, referent of the volcano • ©Mickaël Bastide and Bruno Pansiot-Villon – Guadeloupe La 1ère
A team from Guadeloupe La 1ère also performed the ascent this Saturday with the controllers. Here are some images that Bruno Pansiot-Villon brought back. We understand, on viewing, that the walk is not accessible to the general public, particularly in such weather:
Security forces storming La Soufrière… in bad weather • ©Bruno Pansiot-Villon – Guadeloupe La 1ère
Some walkers still defy the prohibitions, despite the risks, under the pretext of not being aware of the prohibition; this, despite the many displays.
It should be noted that the area beyond the barriers is only accessible in the company of a certified mountain guide and with the regulatory equipment, in particular a gas mask, capable of filtering the acidity in the air. , released by the fumaroles.
There is really a desire to access the site saying: “I was not informed” (…).
Félix Bastaraud, environmental inspector in the PNG
Félix Bastaraud, PNG environmental inspector • ©Mickaël Bastide and Bruno Pansiot-Villon – Guadeloupe La 1ère
In the forbidden access zone, around the crater of La Soufrière, a gas mask is obligatory, for people authorized to go there. • ©Bruno Pansiot-Villon
In the event of an incident, rescuers will be forced to put themselves in danger in order to search for and rescue people in difficulty. Another reason not to put yourself in danger.
And, whatever the case, you have to think regarding bringing something to drink, nibble, keep warm and, if necessary, signal (a whistle), before defying the “Great lady“, as the Soufrière of Guadeloupe is nicknamed.
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