Fire Breaks Out on Mount Sumbing in Wonosobo; 71 Hikers Evacuated

A fire broke out in Sector 29 of Mount Sumbing, accessed via Gajahmungkur in Kalikajar district, Wonosobo regency, Central Java. Seventy-one hikers on the mountain made their way down and were reported safe.

“The information came in at around 3pm. It was Mount Sumbing via Gajahmungkur. The incident site is in Sector 29, within Wonosobo’s Kalikajar district,” Sabarno, coordinator of the Wonosobo Regional Disaster Management Agency’s Rapid Response Team (TRC BPBD), said when contacted, as reported by detikJateng on Monday (19 October) at 9.10pm local time.

“Tonight, according to information from the base-camp chief, there are still 71 hikers, but they are safe and on their way down,” he added.

Joint teams had tried to put out the fire but were forced to descend because conditions were dangerous.

“Several base camps have carried out firefighting, but have not yet succeeded because of the strong winds and the dry vegetation higher up. Those on the mountain have been ordered down because operations are not feasible and would be dangerous,” he said.

Sabarno said he could not yet confirm the size of the area affected or the cause of the fire.