A volcano erupted near Yogyakarta, leaving 11 hikers dead and 12 missing. The
most active volcano in Indonesia, Mount Merapi translates to “Mountain of Fire.” It is
one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire, and is a staggering
9,485 feet tall. It is located in Central Java to the north of Yogyakarta. The Volcanology
Agency of Indonesia reports there are 127 active volcanoes in the country.
Despite being extremely dangerous, the volcano is incredibly well-liked for hiking.
There is a 700-meter ascent and a 45-degree angle in the 4-kilometer trek. Depending
on your hiking skill and fitness level, it could take three to seven hours to reach the
summit.
most active volcano in Indonesia, Mount Merapi translates to “Mountain of Fire.” It is
one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire, and is a staggering
9,485 feet tall. It is located in Central Java to the north of Yogyakarta. The Volcanology
Agency of Indonesia reports there are 127 active volcanoes in the country.
Despite being extremely dangerous, the volcano is incredibly well-liked for hiking.
There is a 700-meter ascent and a 45-degree angle in the 4-kilometer trek. Depending
on your hiking skill and fitness level, it could take three to seven hours to reach the
summit.
More than 353 civilizations died in Merapi’s most recent eruption in 2010, which
also resulted in the evacuation of about 350,000 residents. It has been active for almost
10,000 years, and there have been 68 historic eruptions since 1548. Ash was dispersed
throughout central Java in 1006 during one of its most significant eruptions.
Mount Merapi erupted on December 3rd, at around 2:54 p.m. local time. Massive
plumes of smoke were launched into the sky, and volcanic ash began spewing
everywhere. While eruptions were still occurring, a group of roughly forty rescuers raced
to the scene. Officials reported that on Monday morning they had found the remains of
eleven climbers, and are still looking for the remaining climbers. About 75 individuals,
including the hikers, have been taken out of the area, and, if needed, are getting the
necessary treatment. Abdul Malik, the leader of the Padang Search and Rescue
Agency, stated, “There are 26 people who have not been evacuated. We have found 14
of them; three were found alive, and 11 were found dead.”
Zhafirah Zahrim Febrina was trapped with eighteen of her other classmates while
hiking on Merapi, and made a video pleading for assistance. The 19-year-old, whose
nickname is Ife, seemed frantic and dazed in the recording. Her face was badly burned,
and her hair was tangled with thick ash. “Mom, help Ife. This is Ife’s situation right now,”
she said in the video. Zhafirah is currently recuperating and receiving care in the
hospital.
The possible dangers from Sunday’s eruption are mentioned by officials tracking
Mount Merapi’s movements; these include streaming molten lava that might reach
neighboring bodies of water or highways. The number of hikers killed by the eruptions
has increased from 12 to 22, and searches for the remaining missing people will start up
again on Wednesday. Nearby residents have been given masks, and officials with
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency have advised them to stay inside.
Search and rescue operations in Mount Merapi have been hampered by the area’s
frequent eruptions. The leader of Merapi’s observation team, Ahmad Rifandi, described
how there were five eruptions solely on Tuesday. “Merapi is still very much active. We
can’t see the height of the column because it’s covered by clouds,” he said.
