Indonesian volcano erupts, 11 climbers killed

Mount Merapi erupted on December 3 (Photo: Reuters).

The Guardian quoted information from rescue forces that they tried to evacuate climbers when Mount Merapi volcano showed signs of eruption. However, of the 75 climbers, 26 were unable to evacuate, of which 12 are still missing, 14 were found but only 3 survived, and 11 died.

Merapi has been erupting again since the beginning of this year, but has not caused any casualties. It is one of more than 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia.

Mount Merapi erupted on December 3, sending a column of ash as high as 3,000 meters into the air, trapping and injuring climbers. The volcanic ash also spread to several nearby villages.

A climber was rescued by rescuers (Photo: Reuters).

Ahmad Rifandi, an official with the Indonesian Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center in Indonesia, said two climbing routes were closed after the eruption and people living on Merapi's slopes were advised to stay 3km away from the crater because the volcano could erupt with lava.

However, about 75 climbers began their journey to climb the nearly 2,900m high mountain on December 2.

Authorities have issued an evacuation warning for households 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, had been deployed to search for them. Rescue operations continued through the night in the hope of bringing all the climbers down to safety.

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

Eight of those rescued were taken to hospital with burns and one person suffered a broken limb, Mr Agustian said.

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