Rescuers have located the remains of the last missing hiker following a volcanic eruption on Indonesia’s Mount Marapi on Sunday, raising the death toll to 23. The search for the remaining 10 missing hikers resumed on Tuesday after a temporary halt due to safety concerns. Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency confirmed the recovery of the final body on Wednesday.
On Sunday, the volcano emitted a 3km (9,800ft) ash cloud, enveloping nearby villages in ash. Of the 75 hikers in the vicinity during the eruption, most were successfully evacuated and treated for burns. Currently, 12 injured victims are receiving medical care in hospitals.
Abdul Malik, head of the Padang Search and Rescue Agency, informed reporters that the joint search and rescue team had identified the last victim of the Mount Marapi eruption, a woman, who is now in the process of being evacuated.
Mount Marapi, also known as the “Mountain of Fire,” is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes and is popular among hikers. Certain trails had only recently reopened in June after being closed due to ash eruptions from January to February. The deadliest eruption of Mount Marapi occurred in 1979, claiming the lives of 60 people.
A survivor shared with the harrowing experience of suffering broken bones from falling rocks and briefly losing sight due to thick black smoke while making their escape.
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