TEMPO.CO, Boyolali - The hiking route of Mount Merapi via Selo, Boyolali District, Central Java, is closed despite the status remains normal at level 1 following the phreatic eruption.

“The hiking track via Selo is temporarily closed to minimize any incident,” said Selo Sub-District Head Jarot Purnama on Friday, May 11.

Jarot explained the search and rescue (SAR) team deployed to climb the mountain to rescue some 160 hikers after the eruption occurred at 07:30 local times. “Until now, 25 people have descended via Selo route,” he said.

Read: Mount Merapi Erupts Garuda Indonesia Cancels Flights

Jarot further explained the phreatic eruption in Mount Merapi that spewed white-thicked ash along with thunder sound has sparked public panic in Jrakah, Klakah, and Tlogolele villages. However, the residents continue their usual activity after the eruption ended since the distance between the region and Mount Merapi is five kilometers away.

SAR Barameru Head Bakat Setiawan said many personnel is currently tracking Mount Merapi to its peak via Selo route to evacuate the hikers. He added that some 50 hikers are estimated staying in Bubrah Market.

The spokesperson of National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) in Sleman, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, appealed the hikers to follow the suggestion and to not heading near the peak crater. Based on the report, 120 people hike the mount and are currently heading to Bubrah Market. “They are all safe,” Sutopo confirmed.

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