TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The search and rescue mission for hikers trapped on Mount Marapi after Sunday’s explosive eruption was completed, West Sumatra Regional Police Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. Edy Mardianto confirmed.

“The search operation for hikers trapped by the eruption has been completed and all officers have been withdrawn,” Edy told reporters on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Batu Palano Command Post.

He explained that the search operation had achieved its target as 75 registered hikers had been found and evacuated.

“It is clear. No more victims need to be evacuated, based on the data received from BKSDA,” he said, referring to the Marapi Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA).

However, Edy confirmed that the police will identify the victims if there are new findings. “We don't know if there are still climbers who have not been evacuated because we follow the official data,” he added.

The post for reporting missing persons will also remain open at the Ahmad Muchtar Hospital in Bukittinggi City. “There are many hiking trails in Mount Marapi, so if there are reports, we will continue to collect data,” he said.

Edy also explained that most of the evacuated hikers were found close to the crater, meaning that they were not within the three-kilometer safe distance from the summit recommended by the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG).

The Mount Marapi hiking trails were also closed until further notice. “We are working with Nagari Batu Palano to close the trails,” Edy concluded.

FACHRI HAMZAH

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