BATU PALANO, Indonesia - The search and rescue operation for climbers caught in the eruption of Mount Marapi volcano in Indonesia has come to an end, with officials confirming the death toll at 23 and all victims believed to have been recovered. The eruption occurred on Sunday while approximately 75 climbers were on the nearly 2,900-meter (9,480-foot) mountain in West Sumatra province's Agam district.

The West Sumatra Police Chief, Suharyono, announced earlier that the discovery of a female university student's body on Wednesday raised the confirmed death toll to 23. However, officials have now stated that they believe all the deceased climbers have been located. After evaluating the search and rescue results, Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, confirmed that authorities have officially ended the operation on Wednesday.

The bodies of the victims were transported to a hospital for identification by late Wednesday, according to the National Search and Rescue Agency. Among the climbers, 52 were successfully rescued following the initial eruption on Sunday, with about a dozen individuals requiring treatment at hospitals for injuries ranging from serious to minor.

Sunday's eruption resulted in thick columns of ash, reaching as high as 3 kilometers (over 9,800 feet), and hot ash clouds spreading over several kilometers (miles). Nearby villages and towns experienced the fallout of volcanic debris, leading to blocked sunlight. Authorities advised residents to wear masks to protect against the ash pollution.

Mount Marapi is notorious for its sudden eruptions that are challenging to predict due to their lack of deep magma movement, which typically triggers seismic tremors. The volcano has been on Indonesia's second-highest alert level since 2011, indicating above-normal volcanic activity. As per the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation in Indonesia, climbers and villagers are required to maintain a safe distance of at least more than 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the peak due to potential hazards.

Although the search and rescue operation has concluded, the aftermath of this tragic event will continue to be felt, with families and friends mourning the loss of their loved ones. The local authorities are likely to focus on providing support and conducting investigations to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.