2023-12-04 04:01:34
The Mount Marapi volcano spews volcanic ash, in West Sumatra province, Indonesia, December 3, 2023. ANTARA FOTO / VIA REUTERS
At least eleven hikers have died following the eruption of the Marapi volcano in western Indonesia, following a night’s search found three people alive.
The eruption of Mount Marapi, on the island of Sumatra, began on Sunday shortly before 3 p.m. (9 a.m. Paris time). The three survivors were rescued near the crater and “in a weakened state, and some had burns”, said the manager. The rescuers took turns lowering the bodies of the deceased to the foot of the mountain.
Eruption still in progress
The eruption, still ongoing, is preventing evacuations by helicopter, Mr. Malik said. “Until this morning, smoke is still escaping from the summit. Visually, everything still looks gray”he added.
Ash ejected by Mount Marapi was observed up to 3,000 meters above its summit, Hendra Gunawan, head of the Indonesian Center for Vulcanology and Geological Hazards, said on Sunday.
Mr Malik said there were a total of 75 hikers who had been on the mountain since Saturday. Forty-nine of them came back down, some being taken to hospital.
Three kilometer exclusion zone
Ade Setiawan, head of the local disaster agency, said in a statement that residents in surrounding villages had been given masks and reminded to stay inside their homes.
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Marapi, 2,891 meters high and whose name means “mountain of fire”, is the most active volcano on the island of Sumatra. According to the authorities, it is currently at the third alert level, on a scale of four. They imposed a three-kilometer exclusion zone around its crater. It should not be confused with the Merapi volcano, which is located on the island of Java.
Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the meeting of continental plates causes significant volcanic and seismic activity. The country has nearly 130 active volcanoes.
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