Indonesian rescuers have found the bodies of 11 climbers after the eruption of Mount Merapi in West Sumatra. The Guardian tells more about the situation.
A rescue official said three people were found alive and at least 12 climbers were still missing. Another local official reported 22 missing.
According to media reports, about 75 climbers went to the mountain last Saturday. More than 160 people, including police and soldiers, were sent to search for them.
49 climbers were evacuated from the dangerous area, and some are receiving treatment for burns.
“26 people were not evacuated, we found 14 of them, three alive and 11 dead,” the publication quotes the words of the head of the regional search and rescue service, Abdul Malik.
It is clarified that on December 3, the volcano began to erupt: two climbing routes were closed, and residents living on the slopes of Merapi were advised to stay 3 kilometers away from the “crater due to possible lava flow.”
As a result of the eruption, ash plumes rose to more than 3,000 meters. It is reported that “authorities distributed masks to residents and encouraged them to wear glasses.” According to media reports, the search for the missing was temporarily suspended for security reasons.