Five climbers die

Five climbers die

UJUNGPANDANG (JP): Five of a group of seven trekkers were found dead on Mount Bawakaraeng, a 2,800-meter-high mountain in the Gowa regency of South Sulawesi, police report.

Their bodies were located on Friday, the Malino police announced Friday.

The five were Syamsul bin La Bannu, 20, Gaffar bin Saga, 22, Arnold, 20, Daming bin Lipung, 19 and Mochtar bin Sutte, 20. The two survivors were identified as Madjid, 20 and Diung, 19, Chief Sergeant Sagala, the head of the detective unit of the Malino police sub station, was quoted by Antara as saying.

Sagala said the five died from exposure to extremely low temperatures caused by a ceaseless downpour. Their condition worsened after they ran out of food, Sagala added.

According to police estimation, Syamsul died on Wednesday at about 8 p.m. on top of the mountain, while Gaffar and Arnold died two hours later when trying to climb down to seek help. Daming and Mochtar died on Friday morning, also while trying to find help. (lem)