At Least 11 Hikers Killed in Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia’s Sumatra Island

At least 11 hikers died in a volcanic eruption in western Indonesia.

Sumatra Island’s Mount Marapi a volcanic peak of 2,891 metres erupted on Sunday.  A tower of ash shot 3,000 metres high into the sky.

According to the search and rescue agency, 26 persons could not be evacuated in time. Later 14 of them were found, three were found alive and 11 were found dead.

A total of 75 hikers were on the mountain from Saturday. Twelve of them were still missing and 49 had descended.

The Indonesian archipelago sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the meeting of continental plates causes high volcanic and seismic activity. Indonesia has nearly 130 active volcanoes.