Search and rescue teams have uncovered additional bodies in the aftermath of the unexpected eruption of Indonesia's Mount Merapi, bringing the current death toll to 23. Climbers caught off guard by the eruption two days ago faced hazardous conditions on the slopes, and rescuers have now found more victims. Following the initial eruption on Sunday, over 50 climbers were rescued, and 11 deaths were initially confirmed. A subsequent eruption on Monday ejected hot ash up to 800 meters into the air, temporarily halting search operations.
The newly discovered bodies were located near the eruption site, only a few meters away, according to Edi Mardianto, the deputy police chief in West Sumatra province. While the bodies of five climbers have been recovered, 18 are presumed dead due to their proximity to the eruption of hot gases and ash.
“The rest we want to evacuate are 18, and we expect they are no longer alive. The team will evacuate and take them to the hospital tomorrow or today to be identified,” stated Mardianto on Tuesday.
Rescue efforts are challenged by adverse weather conditions and limitations posed by the terrain, with wind carrying heat from the eruptions. A video released by West Sumatra’s Search and Rescue Agency depicted rescuers evacuating an injured climber on a stretcher off the mountain and into an awaiting ambulance bound for the hospital.
Mount Marapi has maintained its status at the third-highest of four alert levels since 2011, indicating above-normal volcanic activity and prohibiting climbers and villagers within 3 kilometers of the peak. Climbers were restricted below the danger zone, requiring registration at command posts or online. However, local officials acknowledge that some individuals may have ventured higher than permitted, making it challenging to confirm the exact number of people affected by the eruption.
Sunday's eruption expelled thick ash columns up to 3,000 meters high, affecting nearby villages and towns. The volcanic debris blocked sunlight, prompting authorities to recommend the use of masks and eyeglasses for protection. Mount Marapi, known for sudden and hard-to-detect eruptions, has been active since a January eruption that caused no casualties. Indonesia, with over 120 active volcanoes, is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," prone to seismic activity due to its location on an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
