Anggara Yuda Lubis (22) and Angelika (21) were rescued on Monday at 3 p.m. local time and immediately rushed to the Pandanaran Hospital, Boyolali.
According to the coordinator of SAR team of Boyolali, Kurniawan Fajar, the two climbers were caught in the landslide on Sunday (Jan. 26) at around 12 p.m.
"Lubis suffered a fracture in the leg as a result of an exposed rock slide while at rest in Pasar Bubar, around three kilometers from the base camp at an altitude of about 2 thousand meters," he stated.
The other victim, Angelika, experienced swelling on her right leg, probably due to sprains when hit by the landslide at the peak of Merapi.
Kurniawan appealed to all climbers to be cautious while climbing, especially during extreme weather such as heavy fog, frequent rain and high winds.
Member of Barameru SAR Team Selo Boyolali, Samsuri stated that the accident that hit the two climbers took place when their troupe stopped to rest in Pasar Bubar before climbing down to the base camp.
Both the victims were asleep, when soils and rocks suddenly piled up around them. A friend, Rudi (23), then went down to seek help to contact the SAR.
"A total of 50 members from the SAR team went up the slopes of Mount Merapi to rescue the victims at around 18 hours," he noted.
While rescuing, the SAR team had to face heavy rains and thick fog on the slopes of Merapi, which has quite a steep ascent.
"Both victims were rescued with the help of stretchers," revealed Samsuri.
Both climbers are students of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
