One dead, 13 missing on MT. Slamet

One dead, 13 missing on MT. Slamet

PUWOKERTO, Central Java: One student has been killed and 13
others reported missing following an attempt to conquer the
3,428-meter high Mt. Slamet, a climb coordinator said on Monday.

Heni, coordinator of the Gadjah Mada University Nature Lovers
(Mapagama), told reporters at the Bambangan post in Purbalingga
that a total of 25 students commenced their ascent of the
mountain on Feb. 3.

"One of them, Masruhi, was found dead on Sunday night by
rescue workers from Soedirman University in Purwokerto and
Mapagama. Eleven others were found alive, while the fate of
another 13 is unknown," he said.

The missing students are Yayat, Noni, Yanuar, Jamburod, Abdul
Azis, Yoyo, Wondo, Eno, Fauziah, Agus, Tulus, Kendit and Brigas
Agung.

"All are members of Mapagama," Heni said.

He said the 13 students were last seen at a location
approximately 3,325 meters up the mountain.
"At this time SAR members have yet to reach the spot due to heavy
rains," he revealed.

Heni blamed bad weather for the loss of the group's climbers.

The mountain is located about 40 kilometers north of
Purwokerto, while Purbalingga is around 20 kilometers northeast
of Purwokerto.

Purbalingga Police chief Comr. Sukamto Handoko said he was
disappointed with the Mapagama students, who had earlier declined
police offers of assistance in the search for the 13 students.

"Police will, however, start searching for them if tomorrow
(Tuesday) the students fail to find their colleagues," Sukamto
said on Monday.

In 1993 nine climbers were killed on the mountain as a result
of bad weather. (45)