Volcanic eruption in Indonesia: 11 hikers found dead after eruption

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On the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Marapi volcano erupted and spewed an ash cloud about three kilometers high into the sky. The eruption occurred early Sunday afternoon local time, local authorities said.

Eleven hikers were found dead after the eruption, a local rescue official told AFP on Monday.

“There are 26 people who could not be evacuated. We found 14, three alive and 11 dead,” said Abdul Malik, head of the Padang Search and Rescue Agency.

Ash falls in the area

According to the information, authorities have established a three-kilometer exclusion zone around the crater.

The ash fall reached the Agam district in the area around the volcano. The sky there temporarily darkened. Residents were asked to stay in their homes.

“Bisnis.com,” citing the Nature Conservation Authority of West Sumatra, reported that there were 70 hikers on Fire Mountain at the time of the eruption. All hiking trails are temporarily closed.

Five minute outburst

According to initial measurements, the 2,981-meter-high volcano initially erupted for almost five minutes, said Abdul Muhari, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Authority. “Further eruptions are still underway,” said Hendra Gunawan of the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazards (PVMBG). According to the center, activity in Marapi has increased since January. Marapi is one of the most active volcanoes in Sumatra.

On the Indonesian island of Java there is a volcano with a very similar name: Merapi. The island nation of Indonesia is located on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, the most geologically active zone on Earth. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are more common along this belt. There are approximately 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia. (SDA/neo)

Source: Blick