3 hikers killed as Mount Dukono erupts in Indonesia; rescue ops on for missing trekkers

At least three hikers, including two Singaporean nationals, were killed and several others remain missing after Mount Dukono in eastern Indonesia erupted early Friday morning. The sudden eruption sent a massive plume of volcanic ash nearly 10 kilometres into the sky, catching a group of trekkers deep within a restricted danger zone.

Casualties confirmed in restricted zone

Local authorities confirmed that the deceased include two foreign nationals from Singapore and one Indonesian resident from Ternate island. The group, reportedly consisting of around 20 hikers, was on the slopes of the 1,335-metre volcano when the blast occurred at approximately 7:41 a.m. local time.

North Halmahera Police Chief Erlichson Pasaribu stated that the hikers were positioned well within the 4-kilometre exclusion radius, an area that has been strictly off-limits since mid-April. While 15 hikers have reportedly been accounted for—some with minor injuries—the status of at least three others remains unclear as search teams navigate the volatile terrain.

Rescue efforts hit by terrain

Rescue operations involving joint teams from Basarnas (the national search agency) and the military are currently underway, though progress has been slow. Volcanic tremors and a continuous "booming sound" from the crater have made it dangerous for teams to reach the higher elevations where the bodies of the victims are believed to be located.

"The terrain is extremely difficult, and the victims will need to be carried down on stretchers once reached," Pasaribu told local media. He added that the ongoing rumbling and ash fall are significant hurdles for the evacuation teams operating near the Malupang Warirang crater.

Massive ash cloud triggers alert

The eruption was recorded on seismographs for over 16 minutes, creating a column of thick grey smoke that rose 10,000 metres above the summit. Lana Saria, head of Indonesia’s Geology Agency, warned that the ash is currently drifting northward. This has put Tobelo City and surrounding residential clusters at risk of "ash rain," prompting authorities to distribute masks and advise residents to stay indoors.

Hikers ignored safety warnings

Officials have expressed frustration over the incident, noting that Mount Dukono has been on a Level 2 alert status for months. Warning signs and social media advisories were reportedly ignored by the group, who were allegedly accompanied by a local guide and porter.

"Local residents generally understand the risks and avoid the climb, but many tourists are driven by the desire to create social media content," Pasaribu noted. Authorities are currently questioning the surviving guides to determine how the group bypassed security checkpoints to enter the prohibited zone.

Living on the Ring of Fire

This latest tragedy underscores the constant volcanic threat in Indonesia, which sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire." With nearly 130 active volcanoes, the archipelago is one of the most seismically active regions globally. Mount Dukono itself has been restless since March, recording nearly 200 minor eruptions before Friday's fatal blast.

Volcanologists expect the activity to remain high over the next 48 hours. Rescue teams remain on standby at the Mamuya village monitoring station, waiting for a safe window to retrieve the deceased and locate any remaining survivors.