A local rescue official said Tuesday that the overall number of hikers killed in an Indonesian volcano eruption has increased to 13 after two more bodies were discovered.
“The total number of people who have died is currently 13,” Abdul Malik, the chief of the Padang Search and Rescue Agency, said AFP, adding that 10 hikers were still missing and 52 were rescued.
The bodies of the two hikers were found late Monday, he added.
The rescue mission is being hampered by further volcanic activity and bad weather.
“The volcanic ash has reached the foot of the hill, which is a challenge for the team. Both routes will be steep and slippery,” Malik said.
Eleven hikers were discovered dead near the crater of Mount Marapi on the island of Sumatra on Monday, while several more were discovered alive and brought down the mountain.
On Sunday, the volcano erupted an ash tower 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) taller than the volcano itself.
Mount Marapi, which translates as “Mountain of Fire,” is Sumatra’s most active volcano.
Because of its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where tectonic plates intersect, Indonesia sees frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
The archipelago nation has nearly 130 active volcanoes.