The distribution of face masks was aimed at preventing people from developing respiratory problems due to the volcanic eruption, the head of Agam District's Health Office, Hendri Rusdian, informed.
The face masks were delivered to sub-district and village authorities as well as schools to be distributed to community members in sub-districts such as Sungai Pua, Canduang, Banuhampu, Baso, Ampek Angkek, Ampek Koto, Malalak, Tilatang Kamang, and Kamang Magek.
"The face masks have been distributed since Monday (December 4, 2023)," Rusdian informed, adding that the district health office will request more face masks, if the sub-districts still need them.
ANTARA reported earlier that Mount Marapi erupted on Sunday at about 2:54 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB). Seventy-five hikers were reportedly trapped on the volcano's slopes following the eruption.
As of Monday, the number of hikers who survived the eruption was recorded at 52, and the reported number of casualties reached 11. The bodies of the dead hikers were evacuated, while 12 others remained missing.
Achmad Mochtar Hospital in Bukittinggi city, West Sumatra, which is serving as the antemortem command post for the hikers, had received seven victims as of Monday.
Three of them were confirmed dead, while four others were brought to the hospital with burn injuries, the hospital's president director, Busril, informed on Tuesday.
The dead victims were identified as Muhammad Adan (21), Nazatra (22), and Muhammad Teguh (20), while the injured survivors were identified as Aditya (21), Zhafirah (19), Naomi (19), and Achmad Firman (20), he said.
Zhafirah and Firman were sent to Muhammad Jamil Hospital in Padang city (19) for further medical treatment, while Naomi was discharged from Achmad Mochtar Hospital and returned home, he said.
"The hikers suffering from severe burns are being treated," he disclosed, adding that the identification of the dead victims was carried out in accordance with the West Sumatra Police's Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) protocols.
Following this, the deceased's identities were announced, Busril said.
Located between the administrative areas of Agam and Tanah Datar districts in West Sumatra province, Mount Marapi is classified as one of the most active volcanoes on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
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Translator: Altas M, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Arie Novarina
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