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Volcanology body said local authorities ignored warning of Marapi before fatal eruption
As the death toll continues to rise following the eruption of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, the government’s volcanology body has criticized local authorities for allowing hikers to climb the active volcano despite warnings that it was unsafe to do so.
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Rescuers carry a victim after the eruption of Mount Marapi in Agam, West Sumatra, on Dec. 4, 2023. (AFP/Fairuz Syaugi)
As the death toll continues to rise following the eruption of Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, the government’s volcanology body has criticized local authorities for allowing hikers to climb the active volcano, despite warnings that it was unsafe to do so.
A total of 75 hikers were climbing Marapi when it suddenly erupted on Sunday afternoon, spewing gray clouds of ash as high as 3 kilometers into the sky.
Local authorities deployed some 200 rescuers to evacuate the trapped hikers, but rescue efforts have been significantly hindered by the ongoing volcanic activities and bad weather.
By Tuesday, the search and rescue team had evacuated 52 hikers and brought them to safety. Twelve of them are currently being treated at the regional hospital in the nearby city of Bukittinggi, according to a statement from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
Thirteen hikers were found dead near the crater on Monday and Tuesday and rescuers are working on the clock to find the remaining missing 10 hikers.
Read also: Mount Marapi volcano eruption leaves 22 dead
