Rescue Teams Retrieve 5 Bodies of Mt. Marapi Eruption Hikers

Author: Dian Kencana
December 5, 2023

Rescue Team Retrieve 5 Bodies from Mt. Marapi, West Sumatra

SEAToday.com, West Sumatra-Tuesday (5/11) morning, the bodies of five hikers had been retrieved, while six others had been located and would be carried out later.

Arief Pratama, spokesman for the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency, said, 'Five bodies have been taken to hospital for identification then handed over to the families”. Rescue operations were put on hold while the volcano was erupting.

Local rescue agency chief Abdul Malik said an air search with a helicopter is not possible because the eruption is ongoing.

Mount Marapi had erupted on December 3 afternoon while some 75 climbers were hiking up its slopes. The blast left nearby villages covered in ash as dust clouds blocked out sunlight.

Officials said 26 hikers have not descended since Sunday. At least 11 have been declared dead. Twelve more people were being sought. There were reported to be 52 survivors rescued so far - with some of the survivors being carried to safety on stretchers.