Enlarge image
Rescue workers recover a body at Marapi volcano
Photo: Basarnas / AP
Three days after the sudden eruption of the Marapi volcano on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, all 23 missing climbers have been located and pronounced dead. "Of the 75 registered hikers, 52 were successfully rescued, although some have minor to severe injuries. 23 were pronounced dead," the police chief of West Sumatra province said on Wednesday. Most of the dead reportedly had severe burns.
More than 30 teams with a total of 300 rescue workers are working to bring the bodies down to the valley. So far, 16 of the victims have been handed over to the police for identification, said the head of the local emergency services. However, the authorities fear that there may have been even more climbers on Marapi who had not officially registered for their ascent. Search parties continued to comb the slopes.
The almost 3000-meter-high Marapi – not to be confused with the volcano Merapi on the island of Java of the same name – had erupted early Sunday afternoon and had thrown a cloud of ash and debris about three kilometers high into the sky. Since then, there have been dozens of other, smaller eruptions, which – coupled with heavy rain in some cases – had hampered the recovery work.
Ash rain continued to fall in several districts on Wednesday. "But right now, it's just ash, not debris," said a local disaster management official. Authorities urged the population to wear protective masks, hats and goggles outdoors to protect themselves from ash and volcanic rock debris.
Marapi is one of the most active volcanoes in Sumatra. Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the most geologically active zone on earth. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are not uncommon.
max/dpa