Jakarta. The search for missing climbers continues for the second consecutive day after the massive explosion in Indonesia’s active volcano Mount Dukono.
Indonesia’s national disaster management agency National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said on Saturday that relief and rescue teams are searching for three missing people amid difficult conditions.
Abdul Muhari, head of BNPB’s disaster information and communications center, said the missing included two foreign nationals and an Indonesian climber. On the second day of the search operation, rescue teams focused specifically on the area where the victims were suspected to be.
According to officials, both foreign climbers were detected about 20 to 30 meters from the edge of the main crater. However, due to the extremely dangerous terrain in the volcanic area and the continuously increasing volcanic activity, the operation to rescue them safely has not been started yet. At the same time, no clue has been found yet about the third missing Indonesian climber.
BNPB expressed concern over the incident, saying that the trekking route to Mount Dukno was completely closed since April 17, yet mountaineering activities continued. The agency has appealed to mountaineering operators and the general public to share information regarding the closure widely. It has also been warned that action can be taken against those who violate the rules.
According to local police, three people died in the volcanic eruption that occurred around 7:40 am on Friday morning. During the explosion, a huge cloud of ash reached a height of about 10 kilometers.
Relief agencies have advised people to avoid any activity within a radius of four kilometers from the volcano’s crater. Besides, the danger of volcanic mud flow during heavy rains has also been expressed.
Mount Dukono, 1,087 meters above sea level, is one of Indonesia’s 127 active volcanoes and the area is considered sensitive due to frequent seismic activity.
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