Death toll rises to 34 after Merapi eruptions in Indonesia

Death toll rises to 34 after Merapi eruptions in Indonesia

2010-10-29 00:20:33 GMT+7 (ICT)

JOGJAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) – The death toll has risen to at least 34 following Mount Merapi’s latest eruption, officials said Thursday.

According to hospital medics, 33 bodies had been under the supervision of Dr. Sardjito Hospital, while one other in Panti Nugroho Slemen Hospital.

While the identification of the bodies has been a challenge due to the physical condition of the severe burns, nine of them have been reportedly claimed by their families. A mass burial took place for another 22 bodies.

Chairman of the Disaster Victim Identification, Agustinus, explained that secondary identification procedures were carried out because primary examination at the scene was extremely difficult and finger print identification was impossible. Secondary identification includes physical anthropology exams on the limbs and family recognition as well.

Most of the victims have been found buried under the ash, but officials fear that the death toll could rise as Merapi continues to have activity. In addition, at least 14 people in hospitals were reported to be in critical condition.

The eruption began at around 5.50 p.m. local time on Tuesday when three loud explosions rocked the mountain, spewing volcanic ashes into the sky. A day earlier, scientists had raised the alert level to its highest level after white clouds of smoke began pouring out of the mountain, signaling an imminent eruption.

Authorities said more than 50,000 people could be in danger if the volcano erupted, and urged residents to move to safer ground immediately. However, many locals refused to evacuate, saying it was too soon.

Subandrio, who heads the regional volcanic investigation department in Yogyakarta, had previously explained that this year's Merapi eruptions have differed from previous ones as it has formed a new dome of lava.

If the emergence of the lava dome forms in an unstable position, a collapse could threaten the Merapi's surroundings with 7.5 million cubic meters (24.5 million cubic feet) of lava.

The last notable eruption occurred in 2006, when several people were killed. Before that, major eruptions took place in 1006, 1786, 1822, 1872, and 1930. The 1930 eruption left at least 1,400 people killed.

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