Dozens climbing Merapi despite ban

Dozens of people have been climbing Mount Merapi despite the prohibition against ascending the active volcano.

Mount Merapi erupted violently in October of last year, causing over 300 deaths.

"Climbers have begun ascending Merapi through the climbing gate at Plalangan, Selo. Dozens have been climbing up to the peak these past two weeks," local Merapi guide Muh. Sony said Sunday.

He said there had been about 25 foreign climbers during the period as well.

"Climbers from overseas included those from Malaysia, Belgium, Germany and France. Foreign visitors mostly climbed for research purposes," he said.

Guides were willing to provide services due to the nature of the climb and the fact that their payment increased by 50 percent compared with normal conditions.

A search and rescue team member in Selo, Central Java, Samsuri, said his team had forbidden climbing Mount Merapi because of a number of threats related to the recent eruptions, such as cold lava surges.

"The prohibition sign for climbing is still up at the Plalangan post," he said.