[Sharon]

Indonesia, October 18th

Indonesian officials have said seven hikers have died and two others suffered severe burns after being caught in a forest fire on a mountain on the island of Java.

The group was climbing on Mount Lawu when the incident took place on Sunday, local disaster agency official Agung Lewis said.

“Seven of them were killed and two others are in critical condition as they sustained around 50% burns,” he said, adding all the dead and injured had been brought down from the mountain.

“The area is actually closed for hiking because there had been previous cases of wildfires due to the dry weather, so we suspect these hikers could have used unofficial routes,” he added.

The blaze was thought to have been caused by a campfire started by hikers and not properly extinguished, said disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.

While nobody else has been reported missing, rescuers are checking for others who might be stuck on the mountain.

Wildfires are a frequent occurrence during Indonesia’s months-long dry season.

[chefbob09]

First.

[chris]

Ah man, that sucks. Trapped in by a forest fire. :/

[Keydog]

Shoulda listened to Smokey Bear...

[ViraA]

I'm trying to work out if the skinny guy in blue is dead or alive !?

[diannegrow1]

That must be a horrible way to die.. Being caught in a fire isnt fun, Im sure...

[Oswald2001]

Terrible way to go.

[hunterseeker]

must have been pure agony

[-NocturnalPulse-]

That would be bad. I hope they died Roanoke inhalation instead of the fire itself

[-NocturnalPulse-]

Of smoke*