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)