JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian authorities said Thursday they helped more than 170 climbers who were caught a day earlier by Mount Semeru’s sudden eruption to return to safety as the seismic activity of Java island’s highest volcano indicated that the eruption will continue.

About 178 people, including climbers, porters, guides, tourism officials and tourists, started their way up the the 3,676-meter (12,060-foot) mountain in the Lumajang district of East Java province Wednesday and became stranded at the Ranu Kumbolo camping area.

“They are safe and now being helped to return,” said Priatin Hadi Wijaya, head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, told a video news conference.

Another official at the center, Hetty Triastuty, added that Ranu Kumbolo is a

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