YOGYKARTA, Indonesia—The situation at Sardjito Hospital in Yogyakarta, just 17 miles north of the Mount Merapi volcano, is desperate, with more victims being brought in than it can handle. Officials report that recovered bodies are piling up, with no available coffins or freezing units.
On Wednesday, Trisno Heru Nugroho, head of Public Relations for the hospital, said that a total of 106 people died during the disaster, some at the scene, and others after they were brought to the hospital. The most recent figures quoted in the Jakarta Post puts the total number of victims at 141.
Nine more victims were brought to the Sardjito Hospital on Tuesday, five of whom died while undergoing treatment for severe burn wounds.
Currently, 83 patients are undergoing treatment at Sardjito Hospital.
The hospital’s forensic team and Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team from Yogyakarta Police Department are working together to identify the bodies. So far, they have confirmed the identities of 49 victims on the volcano. [Story continues following photo gallery]
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The number of casualties is expected to continue to increase as the evacuation process continues. Hundreds of people are still reported missing.
Yogyakarta’s airport remained closed on Monday over fears that ash eruptions could continue.
Mount Merapi, which began erupting on Oct. 26, sits in the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is considered one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes.
On Wednesday, Trisno Heru Nugroho, head of Public Relations for the hospital, said that a total of 106 people died during the disaster, some at the scene, and others after they were brought to the hospital. The most recent figures quoted in the Jakarta Post puts the total number of victims at 141.
Nine more victims were brought to the Sardjito Hospital on Tuesday, five of whom died while undergoing treatment for severe burn wounds.
Currently, 83 patients are undergoing treatment at Sardjito Hospital.
The hospital’s forensic team and Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team from Yogyakarta Police Department are working together to identify the bodies. So far, they have confirmed the identities of 49 victims on the volcano. [Story continues following photo gallery]
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The number of casualties is expected to continue to increase as the evacuation process continues. Hundreds of people are still reported missing.
Yogyakarta’s airport remained closed on Monday over fears that ash eruptions could continue.
Mount Merapi, which began erupting on Oct. 26, sits in the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is considered one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes.
