Sultan HB X Urges Hikers Not to Recklessly Climb Mount Merapi Amid Alert Status

The Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, has urged tourists and newcomers not to recklessly attempt to climb Mount Merapi, which currently remains at Level III or Alert status. According to the Sultan, safety must be the priority given that Merapi’s volcanic activity still possesses the potential to endanger climbers.

“My hope for tourists, or rather for newcomers who intend to go sightseeing, is that I request they do not climb to the top (of Mount Merapi),” he stated on Thursday (2/7/2026).

The Sultan noted that residents living on the slopes of Merapi generally understand the volcano’s characteristics, including the boundaries of safe areas. Consequently, local communities are considered to have a better understanding of the field conditions compared to tourists.

However, this situation differs for visitors from other regions who may not be aware of the latest developments regarding Merapi’s activity. “The residents around Merapi understand and do not wish to evacuate, because the flow only reaches two to two and a half kilometres down and does not reach settlements, and they already know this,” he said.

“But newcomers, who are simply looking to vacation or holiday, may not necessarily know about Merapi’s activity. Therefore, please be careful; for the time being, do not climb, that is all,” he added.

The Sultan also emphasised that information regarding the current condition of Mount Merapi falls entirely under the authority of the Center for Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development (BPPTKG). He noted that residents on the slopes of Merapi have long understood that the threat of volcanic activity remains confined to the upper areas and has not reached residential settlements.