In a devastating turn of events, eleven climbers lost their lives on Monday as the Marapi volcano in West Sumatra erupted, according to a statement from a rescue official. The eruption occurred on Sunday, leading to a rescue mission that discovered three survivors alongside the bodies of the deceased climbers. The search for 12 more missing individuals has been temporarily halted due to safety concerns.
The Marapi volcano, standing at 2,891 meters (9,485 ft), spewed ash as high as 3 km into the sky, prompting authorities to raise the alert level to the second-highest and enforce a prohibition on residents within 3 km of the crater.
Jodi Haryawan, spokesperson for the search and rescue team, expressed the challenges faced during the mission. “It’s too dangerous if we continue searching now,” he said, referencing a small eruption on Monday that prompted the suspension of the search.
Video footage captured the massive cloud of volcanic ash spreading across the sky, leaving cars and roads covered in ash. Earlier on Monday, 49 climbers were successfully evacuated from the area, with many receiving treatment for burns.
Marapi is renowned as one of the most active volcanoes on Sumatra island. Its deadliest eruption occurred in April 1979, claiming the lives of 60 people. This year, the volcano experienced activity between January and February, with ash reaching heights between 75 meters and 1,000 meters from the peak.
Indonesia, situated on the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire,” is home to 127 active volcanoes, as reported by the volcanology agency. The recent eruption serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of volcanic activity in the region, with authorities and rescue teams working tirelessly to manage the aftermath and protect the local population.
