Indonesia ends search operation after Marapi eruption kills 23

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Indonesian authorities have officially concluded the search and rescue mission following the eruption of Mount Marapi on the island of Sumatra. The volcano spewed ash towers over 3,000 meters into the sky, leading to the tragic deaths of 23 people. The eruption occurred while 75 hikers were in the area, prompting rescue efforts to locate and evacuate individuals. Although scores were successfully rescued, the mission was challenging due to additional eruptions and adverse weather conditions.

Officials expressed confidence that all missing individuals, whether dead or alive, had been located and evacuated during the rescue operation. The search and rescue mission was led by the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and involved rigorous efforts to locate and evacuate victims. Despite initial concerns about hikers using unofficial routes and potentially being unaccounted for, authorities believe that every missing person has been found.

Hikers exploring the region are required to register with local authorities through an online booking system, which includes paying a small fee and using designated entrances. The closure of the search and rescue operation was announced by Ichwan Pratama, an official from the Agam disaster mitigation agency, who emphasized that the emergency post would remain active for families still looking for their relatives.

The head of Indonesia’s volcanology agency, Hendra Gunawan, noted that Mount Marapi had been on the second level of a four-tier alert system since 2011, with a 3km exclusion zone imposed around its crater. Gunawan appeared to attribute the eruption’s impact on hikers’ proximity to the crater, emphasizing that the agency had recommended no activity in that area.

Indonesia, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its tectonic plate interactions. Mount Marapi is known as the most active volcano on Sumatra and is among the nearly 130 active volcanoes in the Indonesian archipelago. The tragic incident underscores the challenges posed by volcanic activity in the region, emphasizing the need for proactive monitoring and safety measures to protect those living near and exploring volcanic areas.

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