In a devastating turn of events, the death toll from the eruption of Indonesia's Mount Marapi has risen to 22, according to rescue officials. The eruption occurred on Sunday, sending toxic smoke and ash thousands of feet into the air, covering surrounding communities in a thick layer of ash. Search and rescue teams have been working tirelessly to locate and evacuate the bodies of the climbers who were caught in the eruption.
As of Monday, three survivors had been found, along with the bodies of 11 climbers. By early Tuesday, an additional 11 bodies were discovered near the crater, bringing the total death toll to 22. The rescue efforts are ongoing, with teams continuing to evacuate the deceased from the peak of the volcano.
While some climbers were located safely and others were sent to local hospitals for treatment, the conditions in the area remain dangerous. The eruption is still occurring, and officials are urging residents to stay indoors and not venture within a two-mile radius of the volcano's crater. Masks have been distributed to the community to protect against the harmful effects of the volcanic ash.
The eruption of Mount Marapi took place just before 3 p.m. local time on Sunday, catching many climbers off guard. The volcano had been on Alert Level II since January, and symptoms of volcanic activity had been observed. Despite the warning, there were still 75 climbers in the area at the time of the eruption. While 40 were able to descend safely, others were unable to escape the deadly effects.
The search and rescue efforts have been challenging due to the ongoing eruption. Rescuers have been taking advantage of brief periods of relative calm to search for the missing climbers. However, the volcano is still erupting as of midday on Tuesday, hindering the rescue operations.
The dead climbers have been carried down the mountain in body bags over the course of several days. Images shared by Basarnas, the search and rescue agency, showed a team of six rescuers in orange jackets and hard hats carrying a body down the volcano's slope. Multiple survivors suffered burns and fractures and had to be transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
One survivor, Ridho, described the panic and chaos that ensued after the eruption began. He recounted zig-zagging down the mountain, seeking refuge in a trekking post. The loud sound of the eruption prompted him to seek cover behind rocks, as others jumped and fell in their attempts to escape the disaster.
The eruption of Mount Marapi serves as a stark reminder of Indonesia's frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The country is located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where tectonic plates collide, leading to frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Mount Marapi, known as the "Mountain of Fire," is one of the archipelago's most active volcanoes.
As the search for the remaining missing hiker continues, rescue officials have expressed their determination to find all the climbers within seven days. The eruption has left the local communities traumatized, as they grapple with the devastating loss of life and the ongoing threat posed by the active volcano. The full impact of this tragedy is yet to be fully comprehended.
