Deadly Volcanic Eruption on Mount Marapi Claims Lives of Eleven Hikers in Indonesia

A group of eleven hikers near the crater of Mount Marapi in Indonesia were tragically found dead after the volcano erupted. Three individuals were fortunate enough to be rescued, while twelve others remain missing, prompting the suspension of search operations due to a subsequent minor eruption. Although there were 75 hikers present during the eruption, the majority were evacuated safely. The eruption of Mount Marapi, one of Indonesia's active volcanoes, occurred on Sunday and resulted in the expulsion of ash reaching heights of 9,800 feet (3km). As a precautionary measure, authorities have raised the alert level to the second-highest and prohibited residents from approaching within a 3km radius of the crater. The three individuals who were rescued, found near the crater, were described as weak with burns by Abdul Malik, head of the Padang Search and Rescue Agency. Earlier that day, 49 other climbers had been evacuated, many of whom also suffered burns. Videos of the eruption showcased a massive ash cloud spreading across the sky, leaving cars and roads covered in ash. Rescuers faced challenging terrain while transporting the deceased and injured to ambulances with blaring sirens. As one of the rescued hikers expressed her pain, she exclaimed "God is great" while being carried by a rescuer. According to Rudy Rinaldi, head of the West Sumatra Disaster Mitigation Agency, some individuals suffered burns and were subsequently taken to the hospital. Mount Marapi, standing at an elevation of 9,485 feet (2,891m), is situated on Sumatra island, the westernmost part of Indonesia. Given that Indonesia lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area renowned for intense volcanic and seismic activity due to continental plate interactions, its archipelago experiences heightened levels of such events.