In a tragic turn of events, the bodies of 11 climbers have been recovered on Monday, a day after the furious eruption of Mount Marapi volcano in Indonesia. The search continues for 12 others who are apparently still missing. The volcano has been at the third highest alert level since 2011, indicating above normal volcanic activity and prohibiting climbers or villagers within 1.8 miles of the peak. Despite these precautions, many climbers broke the rules to satisfy their desire to climb further, according to Hendra Gunawan, the head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation.
On Saturday, approximately 75 climbers began their ascent up the 9,480-foot mountain, only to become stranded due to the eruption. Eight of those rescued on Sunday were rushed to hospitals with burns, and one suffered a broken limb, reported Hari Agustian, an official at the local Search and Rescue Agency in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province. All climbers had registered at two command posts or online through West Sumatra's conservation agency before their climb.
It is possible that some climbers took illegal routes or that local residents were present in the area, but these claims have not been confirmed. The eruption resulted in thick columns of ash rising to a staggering height of 9,800 feet, with hot ash clouds spreading several miles. The surrounding villages and towns were covered in tons of volcanic debris. Social media videos showed evacuated climbers with ash-covered faces and hair, as volcanic dust and rain continued to fall. In response, authorities provided masks and urged residents to wear eyeglasses for protection.
Approximately 1,400 people reside on the slopes of Mount Marapi in Rubai and Gobah Cumantiang, the nearest villages located 3.1 to 3.7 miles from the peak. Gunawan explained that the eruption on Sunday was not preceded by a significant increase in volcanic earthquakes. Deep volcanic earthquakes were only recorded three times between November 16th and the eruption day, while the deformation equipment on the peak indicated a horizontal pattern on the radial axis and slight inflation on the tangential axis. Gunawan noted that Marapi eruptions are typically sudden and challenging to detect using equipment, as they occur near the surface and are not caused by magma movement.
As rescue operations continue, the West Sumatra Search and Rescue Agency head, Abdul Malik, announced that 11 bodies of climbers have been found, and three survivors have been rescued. He confirmed that the evacuation process is ongoing, while efforts to locate the remaining 12 climbers reportedly still missing are underway. Mount Marapi has been active since a previous eruption in January, which fortunately did not result in any casualties. Indonesia, with over 120 active volcanoes, is located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," making it prone to seismic activity.
The eruption of Mount Marapi highlights the risks associated with climbing active volcanoes and the importance of adhering to safety regulations. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of these natural phenomena and the need for vigilance when venturing into such environments. The search and rescue efforts continue, as authorities remain committed to locating and providing assistance to the missing climbers.
