Indonesia’s Mount Dukono eruption leaves 20 hikers missing PHOTO

Indonesia has launched a large-scale search and rescue operation after the eruption of Mount Dukono on Friday (May 8) morning left around 20 hikers missing, including nine Singaporean nationals, officials said.

The volcano, located on Halmahera Island in North Maluku province, erupted at around 7:41 am local time, sending an ash plume up to 10 kilometres into the atmosphere and triggering hazardous conditions across the surrounding area, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Authorities said the eruption was accompanied by a loud booming sound.

Search and rescue teams have been deployed to the remote site, with police and emergency personnel working to locate the missing group, which also includes Indonesian nationals. Officials confirmed that all those unaccounted for were hikers, despite the area having been officially closed to visitors since mid-April due to heightened volcanic activity.

Local police said three people have died, though identities and nationalities have not yet been officially confirmed. Indonesian and regional media reports suggested that at least two of the victims may be Singaporean, but authorities have not verified these claims.

The Geological Agency warned that volcanic ash poses serious health risks and could disrupt local transport, while maintaining that Mount Dukono remains at a high alert level under Indonesia’s four-tier volcano warning system. Since December, authorities have advised the public to stay at least four kilometres away from the crater.

Mount Dukono is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes and has been erupting intermittently since 1933. Despite its volatility, it occasionally attracts experienced hikers, although access is difficult, requiring multiple flights, sea crossings, and overland travel before reaching the trekking routes.

Officials say search operations are continuing under challenging conditions as ash clouds and rugged terrain hamper access to the affected area.

By Aghakazim Guliyev