Death toll rises to 22 in Indonesian volcano eruption

ISTANBUL

The death toll rose to 22 on Tuesday from a volcanic eruption on Sumatra Island in Indonesia.

There is still one mountain climber whose whereabouts remain unknown.

About 75 climbers were near Mount Marapi in West Sumatra Province when it erupted Sunday, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

More than 50 either descended or were rescued by emergency teams.

During the last two days, 46 eruptions had occurred, said authorities.

The eruption started at 2.54 p.m. local time Sunday, sending hot ash and volcanic debris 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) into the sky.

Mount Merapi stands 2,891 meters (9,485 feet) tall and is situated on the island of Sumatra, where authorities have long prohibited residents and tourists from hiking within a three-kilometer radius of its crater.