Russian Hiker Found Alive on Indonesian Volcano | The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel

Searchers in Indonesia rescued a Russian hiker who was missing for six days while climbing Mount Merapi, the country's most active volcano.


Slideshow

1/3

Photo taken on January 30, 2011 shows the mount Merapi volcano in Sleman, Yogyakarta. Javanese villagers who survived the violent eruptions of Mount Merapi volcano last year are tapping into the macabre market for disaster tourism to help rebuild their shattered lives. (ADEK BERRY/AFP/GettyImages)


YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Searchers in Indonesia have rescued a Russian hiker who was missing for six days while climbing the country's most volatile volcano, an official said.

Weather in your inbox
By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Yevgeny Luchina, 25, went missing Saturday while climbing the southern side of the 2,968-meter (9,737-foot) Mount Merapi, a popular site for visitors on the main island of Java.

He sent a text message to his Indonesian girlfriend saying he had lost his way and asking to be rescued.

Teguh Supriyadi, a spokesman for the local search and rescue agency, said Luchina was found Thursday in weak condition with some bruises.

Eight search-and-rescue teams comprised of 68 people, including soldiers from a special army force, were mobilized to look for Luchina, whose footprints where discovered Monday but rescuers were unable to track him.

His location at an altitude of about 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) was discovered Thursday morning, but rescuers needed four hours to reach him because of a deep ravine separating them.

Merapi is the most active of Indonesia's volcanoes. Last month, it unleashed a column of dark red volcanic material 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) into the air, but a lava eruption did not occur and the alert level was not increased. Its last major eruption in 2010 killed 347 people.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: 10 Active Volcanoes to Visit on Vacation


Slideshow

1/15

Smoke erupts from Mt. Bromo, an active volcano, in East Java, Indonesia, in the summer of 2011. (Helmindia Ranford)