Jakarta, IO – A joint volunteer team led by the West Sumatra Regional Police ended the search for victims of the Mount Marapi eruption on the border between Agam and Tanah Datar Regencies. All the 75 climbers have been accounted for, with 23 confirmed dead.
West Sumatra Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Edi Mardiyanto disbanded the 300-strong team and confirmed that the climbing route for Mount Marapi situated 2,891 meters above sea level is officially closed, per Detikcom, Thu (7/12).
“Starting tonight, those who took part in the search will return to their respective units. Also, starting tonight, an access ban is imposed,” said Eddie.
According to him, the number of victims was based on data from the West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA). In addition, there were no other victims reported by local residents. However, the complaint post remains open in Bukittinggi.
“We are still opening a post for the reporting missing persons at the Achmad Mochtar Hospital, Bukittinggi. As yet, no residents have reported missing family members,” he said.
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The 12 injured victims are being treatment in hospital. Most of the victims were found during searches conducted on Monday and Tuesday.
“The search was carried out with a search radius of 800 meters from the Mount Marapi climbing route, covering an area of approximately 5.3 square kilometers,” said the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) spokesperson Arief Pratama. (bp)