Key takeaways:
- 11 bodies of climbers were recovered, but 12 are still missing
- Rescuers worked through the night to find stranded hikers
- Mount Marapi is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, with the last major eruption occurring in 2018
Mount Marapi Volcano in Indonesia Erupts Again, Halting Search for Missing Climbers
PADANG, Indonesia (AP) – Indonesian authorities have halted the search for 12 climbers after Mount Marapi, a volcano on the island of Sumatra, erupted again on Monday, unleashing a new burst of hot ash as high as 800 meters (2,620 feet) into the air.
The bodies of 11 climbers were recovered earlier in the day, but attempts to relocate them were hindered by the renewed activity, according to West Sumatra’s Search and Rescue Agency head Abdul Malik.
Rescuers worked through the night to find dozens of hikers stranded on the volcano after it spewed an ash tower 3,000 meters into the air. Eleven hikers were found dead and another 12 are still missing.
Injured and burned survivors were carried down the mountain on foot, with some being airlifted to nearby hospitals. Malik said the search operation would resume once conditions improved.
Mount Marapi is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia, with the last major eruption occurring in 2018. The volcano is located in the Padang Highlands, a popular tourist destination in the region.
The Indonesian government has urged people to stay away from the area until further notice.
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