Indonesian volcano erupts, 11 climbers killed

Mount Merapi has been erupting since December 3rd (Photo: Reuters).

The Guardian , citing rescue forces, reported that they attempted to evacuate climbers when Mount Merapi showed signs of erupting. However, of the 75 climbers, 26 could not be evacuated, with 12 still missing, 14 found but only 3 survived, and 11 dead.

Merapi began erupting again earlier this year, but without causing any casualties. It is one of more than 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia.

Mount Merapi erupted, spewing a column of ash and smoke up to 3,000 meters high on December 3rd, trapping and injuring climbers. Volcanic ash also spread to several nearby villages.

A mountaineer is rescued by rescue forces (Photo: Reuters).

Ahmad Rifandi, an official from the Indonesian Center for Geological and Volcanic Hazard Reduction, said two hiking routes were closed after the eruption and residents living on the slopes of Merapi were advised to stay 3km away from the crater because the volcano could erupt lava.

However, around 75 climbers began their ascent of the nearly 2,900-meter-high mountain on December 2nd.

Authorities have issued evacuation warnings for residents living near the volcano (Photo: Reuters).

Hari Agustian, an official with the local Search and Rescue Agency in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province, said more than 160 personnel, including police and soldiers, have been deployed to search for them. The rescue operation continued throughout the night in the hope of bringing all the climbers down to safety.

Videos posted on social media show climbers being evacuated with their faces and hair covered in volcanic ash.

Mr. Agustian said that eight of those rescued were taken to the hospital with burns and one person had broken limbs.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nui-lua-indonesia-phun-trao-11-nguoi-leo-nui-thiet-mang-20231204104356419.htm