In a catastrophic turn of events, Indonesia's Marapi volcano, located in West Sumatra, erupted violently, leading to the deaths of eleven climbers, with twelve others reported missing. The eruption, which launched ash up to 3 kilometers into the sky, has plunged the region into a state of emergency.
Jodi Haryawan, the spokesperson for the local search and rescue team, reported that out of 75 climbers present during Sunday's eruption, 11 were found dead and three survivors were discovered on Monday. "We have continued to search for the 12 missing climbers until this evening. We have not decided when we are going to stop the operation," Jodi stated, underscoring the ongoing urgency of the situation.
The efforts to evacuate the affected climbers have been arduous. Jodi noted that it takes approximately four to six hours to evacuate a single body from the volcano, highlighting the challenging terrain and conditions faced by the rescue teams. Additionally, 49 climbers were evacuated earlier on Monday, many receiving treatment for burns.
The 2,891-meter-high Marapi volcano, one of the most active on Sumatra island, has a history of deadly eruptions, with the most severe occurring in April 1979, claiming 60 lives. This year, the volcano had already shown signs of activity between January and February, prompting authorities to raise the alert to the second-highest level and establish a 3-kilometer exclusion zone around the crater.
Videos circulating in the aftermath of the eruption show a vast cloud of volcanic ash blanketing the sky, with vehicles and roads covered in the fallout. The eruption's impact was further compounded by a smaller eruption on Monday morning, which temporarily suspended the search efforts.
Indonesia, situated on the Pacific's "Ring of Fire," is no stranger to volcanic activity, boasting 127 active volcanoes. The country's disaster management agencies have been on high alert, distributing masks to residents and urging them to remain indoors. Climbing routes and trails around Marapi have been closed to prevent further casualties.
Abdul Malik, who heads the search and rescue teams in West Sumatra, emphasized the ongoing danger as eruptions continue. "A team of 40 rescuers is currently on the mountain while eruptions are still taking place," he told CNN.
The aftermath of the eruption presents a grim picture, with photos revealing entire villages and landscapes blanketed in ash. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of those in the affected area and mitigate the impact of the volcanic activity.
As rescue operations continue, the region remains on edge, with the threat of flowing molten lava and further eruptions looming. The tragedy at Marapi serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of Indonesia's landscape and the ever-present danger posed by its active volcanoes.
