11 climbers killed after Indonesia volcano erupts, spewing ash 3km into sky
- The bodies of the climbers were discovered on Monday as a search for 12 more missing people was temporarily halted over safety concerns
- Mount Marapi, which means “Mountain of Fire”, has been spewing ash rain over Indonesia’s Sumatra island since it began erupting on Sunday
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Indonesia volcano erupts, spewing ash 3km into sky
Three survivors were found on Monday along with the bodies of the 11 climbers, among 75 people who were in the area at the time of the eruption said Jodi Haryawan, spokesman for the local search and rescue team.
The 2,891-metre high volcano spewed ash as high as 3km (9,843ft) into the air on Sunday.
Authorities have raised the alert to the second-highest level and prohibited residents from going within 3km of the crater.
Video footage showed a huge cloud of volcanic ash spread widely across the sky and cars and roads covered with ash.
A small eruption on Monday and the search for survivors to be suspended, Jodi said. “It’s too dangerous if we continue searching now,” he added.
There were 49 climbers evacuated from the area earlier on Monday and many were being treated for burns, he said.
