Swiss climber still missing in Jambi

JAMBI, Jambi: A Swiss mountain climber last seen Dec. 15 had not returned as of Saturday, and a search operation to locate him was ongoing.

Marc Affartel, 23, began his attack on Kerinci mountain, 3,805 meters high, on Dec. 15 and had not returned to the inn where he was staying in Sungai Penuh, Antara reported.

Dwi Susanto, a staffer at Kerinci Seblat National Park, said he was hopeful that the climber would be found this week. A flashlight belonging to Affartel was found on the mountain at a height of 2,700 meters. Dwi said that at this height the condition of a climber was no longer stable and the terrain was treacherous.

Affartel was climbing alone. Dwi said that local authorities had just issued a ban on climbing Kerinci because minor activity had been detected in the volcano. He said it was possible that Affartel, who was reported missing by the inn keeper, was not injured, but had merely continued his journey elsewhere without notifying anybody. (01)