Tragedy has unfolded on Indonesia’s Mount Marapi leaving behind a tale of devastation and resilience. As per the latest reports the volcanic eruption has claimed the lives of 23 individuals in total. This tourist spot, famous among hikers was subjected to a furious volcanic eruption on December 3. 

Even though the count of missing people is lowering, the increasing death toll sheds light on the unpredictable forces that shape the landscape of the Pacific Ring of Fire. In the meantime, the rescue efforts have also been hampered by the heightened activity in the mountains. 

Rising death count of hikers reflects the eruption toll

When the volcano first erupted on Sunday, it caused the death of 11 hikers. However, as time started to roll, the count of the missing hikers shot up. The rescuers undeterred by the after-effects of the volcanic eruption continued with the rescue but the number of deaths soon rose to 13 with 10 still missing.

According to Al Jazeera, the head of the Padang Search and Rescue Agency, Abdul Malik confirmed the number of total hiker deaths to be 13 and while 52 have been evacuated. The only missing person has been assumed to be dead since the hiker was too close to the eruption site. 

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As the rescue operations continued, Mount Marapi, aptly named the “Mountain of Fire”, complicated rescue efforts being highly active with frequent eruptions. The deadliest eruption that took place since 1979, this time it recorded five eruptions in a single day. As a result of this frequency, it gave rise to an ash tower of 3,000 meters that is taller than the volcano itself.  

Hikers share their tales of survival 

In the meanwhile, the survivors among the group of 75 hikers shared their harrowing experiences. Trauma and burn injuries marked their ordeal and the video footage captured the challenging conditions they had been exposed to. The challenging terrain paired with the impact of the volcano, the rescuers braved the mountain’s adversity and carried the injured down the treacherous slopes. 

Among the survivors, the 19-year-old student, Zhafirah Zahrim Febrina who was part of the hiking group consisting of 18 school friends, had sought help by sending her mother a video message from the volcanic site. Later on, the student had been recovered and transported to the hospital for further treatment. 

Marapi is located in the westernmost part of Indonesia and is the third largest among the country’s 18,000 islands. Standing at a height of 2,891m (9.485ft), it is situated at a sight where continent plates clash giving rise to frequent seismic and high volcanic activities.   

As the country mourns the lives lost on the volcanic mountain, the resilience of the rescuers and tales of survival from traumatized hikers paints a vivid picture of traversing the Pacific Ring of Fire. The volcanic archipelago of Indonesia even though is defined by dynamic landscapes, there prevail inherent risks amidst the allure of nature.  

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