TEMPO.CO, Sembalun - Three hikers trapped around Segara Anak Lake, Mount Rinjani, West Nusa Tenggara, would be evacuated using helicopter unit today. “Hopefully, the weather is possible [to do so],” said Mount Rinjani National Park head, Sudiyono, at Sembalun Resort, Tuesday, July 31.

Sudiyono said the talks on the evacuation process was still afoot with the joint rescue team, consisted of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Military Force (TNI), Police, and volunteers.

“After a briefing this morning, concerning the weather, we will start the evacuation at 08:00 or 09:00 am,” he said.

Sudiyono explained three helicopter units were ready to be deployed. Two of them were owned by BNPB and the other one was belong to TNI. “[All the plan] depends on the leaders, how and what method [of evacuation] is better.”

The evacuation process in Mount Rinjani was different than that in other places. “[We] should consider the wind direction and other matters,” Sudiyono added.

Sudiyono mentioned two guides accompanied the three hikers thus the total was five people, and also one dead body. “Six people in total needed to be evacuated,” Sudiyono said.

The hikers were trapped in Mount Rinjani following the 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Lombok Island and Sumbawa Island, West Nusa Tenggara, on early Sunday, July 29.

ANTARA