Manado, N Sulawesi (ANTARA) – A joint search and rescue team located and evacuated four hikers who went missing on Mount Lokon in North Sulawesi early Sunday, all of whom were rescued, local officials said.
“All hikers were found safe after an intensive search operation,” Nuriadin Gumeleng, spokesperson for the North Sulawesi Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), said in Manado on Sunday.
The rescued hikers were identified as Luis (21), Rainford (19), Julio (21), and Valerio (20).
Gumeleng said the Manado Search and Rescue Office received an initial distress report at 10:16 p.m. WITA (Central Indonesia Time) on Saturday from Julio, who reported that their group was lost on the mountain.
Following the call, the Manado rescue team coordinated with local agencies and volunteer groups before deploying to the area at 10:36 p.m.
Rescuers arrived at the base of Mount Lokon at 2:00 a.m. Sunday, where they met with Kinilow police officers and the hikers’ families before launching the operation.
Following an operational briefing, the joint team began combing routes leading toward the hikers’ last known location.
Rescuers located all four hikers safe at the summit of Mount Lokon at 4:05 a.m., successfully ending the search, Gumeleng said.
The group was escorted down to the search and rescue post, arriving at 6:30 a.m., before being reunited with their families.
The operation involved personnel from the Manado SAR Office, Kinilow Police, the Tomohon Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), the Tomohon RAPI volunteer communications group, local outdoor organizations, family members, and specialized rescue equipment.
George Mercy Randang, head of the North Sulawesi Search and Rescue Agency, urged hikers to prioritize safety by carrying essential gear, avoiding climbs during bad weather, and checking volcanic activity status before attempting high-altitude hikes.
Translator: Karel AP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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