Tragedy Strikes Mount Marapi: 11 Hikers Found Dead After Volcanic Eruption
The bodies of 11 hikers were discovered on the slopes of Mount Marapi on the Indonesian island of Sumatra after a volcanic eruption sent ash plumes cascading down the mountain on Sunday, according to the local search and rescue agency.
Dozens of climbers were on the active volcano in West Sumatra Province when it began spewing a column of ash nearly 3,000 meters high, Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency reported. The volcanic ash also rained on nearby towns, prompting residents to stay indoors.
As of Monday, the local search and rescue team based in the city of Padang said that 12 climbers were still missing. However, efforts to find them have been hindered by periodic volcanic activity, with eight eruptions recorded as of Monday morning, according to the team leader, Abdul Malik.
Mount Marapi has erupted several times in recent years, with climbers ignoring warnings not to ascend. In January, during a previous eruption, climbers were still camping on the volcano despite the warnings, as reported by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.
The world’s largest archipelago nation, Indonesia, is situated on the so-called Ring of Fire, where tectonic plate movements often lead to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
About 75 hikers were on the mountain when the volcanic activity began on Sunday, with 28 already rescued as of Monday, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency confirmed.
The tragic incident highlights the risks that hikers and climbers face when exploring active volcanoes, and serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of these natural wonders.
Muktita Suhartono contributed reporting to this article.