Hundreds of hikers are trapped on the trails a volcano after a strong earthquake in Indonesia

More than 500 hikers and their guides remained trapped on Monday by landslides on the slopes of an active volcano on the island of Lombok more than 24 hours after a powerful earthquake struck this Indonesian tourist resort, informed park authorities

Land avalanches that fell after the earthquake cut off access and one of the bridges that served as entrance to the area "There are still 560 people trapped, 500 in the region of Segara Anakan and 60 in Batu Ceper," said Sudiyono, the director of the National Park of Rinjani, who, like many people in Indonesia, has only one name.

] The volcano erupts at about 4,074 meters (3,726 meters) above sea level, is the second highest in Indonesia and is a favorite spot among hikers for its breathtaking views.

According to the Efe agency, at least 150 mountaineers are trapped

At least two helicopters were deployed for rescue operations while 246 mountaineers who were on the volcano during the earthquake has already been evacuated, the rest of the group descends on Monday.

Among the people trapped, there are about 170 Thais who, according to the Thai newspaper Bangkok Post, spent the night in tents and consumed those who climbed the mountain.

The spokesman of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said that on Monday the Indonesian authorities are carrying out the evacuation operations.

The magnitude 6.4 earthquake that caused panic in the population at dawn on Sunday caused the death of at least 16 people and damaged 1500 buildings.

Sutopo said that about 5.0 00 people had to be sheltered after the collapse of their homes and fear of more than 120 aftershocks.

The earthquake could also be felt in the neighboring islands of Bali, west of Lombok and the main tourist destination of the country. and Sumbawa, east of the hypocenter

Indonesia is located on the "Pacific Ring of Fire", an area of ​​high seismic and volcanic activity, shaken by about 7,000 shocks per year, most moderate.