The Indonesian government officially declared the conclusion of the search and rescue mission on Thursday, focused on locating any missing or deceased hikers in the aftermath of a volcanic eruption that claimed the lives of 23 individuals.
Mount Marapi, situated on the island of Sumatra in the western part of Indonesia, unleashed an ash column reaching 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) into the sky on Sunday. This event coincided with the presence of 75 hikers in the vicinity. While a substantial number of individuals were successfully rescued, regrettably, 23 people were discovered deceased, with the last victim found on Wednesday evening. The rescue efforts proved challenging due to subsequent eruptions and unfavorable weather conditions, forcing workers to seek shelter intermittently.
Despite initial concerns that some hikers might have taken unofficial routes, resulting in unaccounted-for individuals, officials expressed confidence that all missing persons had been identified and evacuated, whether alive or deceased. To explore this region, hikers are required to register through an online booking system, remit a nominal fee, and use designated entrances.
In a statement on Thursday, Ichwan Pratama, an official from the Agam disaster mitigation agency, announced the closure of the search and rescue operation led by Basarnas, emphasizing the discovery of all victims. The emergency post, however, will remain active to assist families who may still be searching for their relatives.
Edi Mardianto, the deputy chief of West Sumatra police, mentioned on Wednesday evening that all rescuers would return to their respective units.
Hendra Gunawan, the head of Indonesia's volcanology agency, remarked that Marapi has maintained a second-level alert status on a four-tier system since 2011. A three-kilometer exclusion zone has been established around the volcano's crater. Gunawan seemed to attribute the eruption's consequences to hikers who ventured too close to the crater, emphasizing that the agency discouraged any activities in that specific area.
Given Indonesia's location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where tectonic plates intersect, the country encounters frequent seismic and volcanic activities. Marapi stands out as the most active volcano in Sumatra, contributing to Indonesia's roster of nearly 130 active volcanoes.
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