At least three hikers died after an eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Dukono volcano on Friday, officials confirmed. The victims, including two Singaporeans and one Indonesian, were hiking in an off-limits zone when the volcano erupted early in the morning.
The eruption sent an ash cloud approximately six miles (10 kilometers) into the sky, but authorities reported no immediate threat to surrounding towns or villages. Mount Dukono is located on Halmahera island in North Maluku province, part of the volcanically active “Ring of Fire” region.
Evacuation and Rescue Efforts
Twenty hikers were on the volcano slopes at the time of the eruption, according to Erlichson Pasaribu, police chief of North Halmahera. Of these, fifteen have safely descended, while some sustained minor injuries and have been hospitalized for treatment. The fate of two hikers remains unknown.
The bodies of the three confirmed dead remain on the mountain due to continued volcanic activity, which has made evacuation unsafe. Rescue teams are awaiting a suitable window to safely initiate further search and recovery operations.
The group included nine Singaporeans and the rest Indonesians. Police detained the hiking guide and a porter, who may face criminal charges for leading visitors into the prohibited area during heightened volcanic risk.
Volcanic Hazards in Indonesia
Indonesia experiences frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes because it lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a geological area known for intense tectonic activity. Authorities routinely restrict access to active volcanoes like Mount Dukono to protect the public from unexpected eruptions and ash hazards.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
Read more World News stories on Goka World News.