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BERASTAGI, Indonesia (AP) — Rescuers in Indonesia are searching for a German hiker who has been missing for five days since he began climbing a dormant volcano, an official said Monday.
Wolter Klaus, 49, from Oldenburg city, registered his name last Wednesday when he started climbing Mount Sibayak in North Sumatra's Berastagi district on what should have been a day hike, said Budiawan, who is heading the search operation.
Budiawan, who uses a single name, said Klaus was reported missing by his hotel a day later when he did not return from the 2,200-meter (7,200-foot) mountain.
He said 150 soldiers, police and volunteers divided into six teams were mobilized to look for Klaus, but the search has been hampered by the rugged, forested terrain and bad weather. A police helicopter supported the search efforts on Monday, he said.
"We heard a very weak sound like 'aah' came from a ravine when we called his name," Budiawan said. "We've been rappelling with ropes to the estimated location of the sound, but have not found him yet."
In 2013, rescuers found a Japanese hiker alive in a ravine four days after he fell from a cliff on Mount Sibayak.
Mount Sibayak is one of about 130 volcanoes in Indonesia. Its last major eruption was in 1881, but its geothermal activity remains high.
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