3 hikers killed in volcano eruption in Indonesia

International

A DAWN climb up one of Indonesia’s most volatile volcanoes turned deadly Friday after Mount Dukono erupted without warning, killing three hikers and trapping rescuers under a sky filled with ash and volcanic debris.

The eruption sent a towering ash column about 10km (six miles) into the air above North Maluku island, according to images and footage from the scene.

Authorities said a group of 20 hikers, made up of Singaporeans and Indonesians, was on the mountain despite existing restrictions when the eruption occurred.

Officials confirmed that the dead were two Singaporean men aged 30 and 27, and a woman from the nearby city of Ternate. Their bodies remain on the mountain as of Friday evening, while rescue teams continue to face repeated eruptions, unstable ground, and hazardous conditions near the crater.

Most members of the hiking group were evacuated and taken to hospital. Two porters stayed behind to assist rescue workers in locating the victims.

The eruption struck at 07:41 local time (22:41 GMT Thursday), during early morning hiking hours when several groups were already on or near the summit area.

North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu said in a BBC report that recovery efforts were suspended after nightfall and would resume on Saturday, adding that access remains extremely dangerous due to ongoing volcanic activity and difficult terrain.

Ash and rock continued to be ejected from the crater hours after the eruption. A local resident assisting rescue teams said emissions from the volcano were ongoing throughout the operation.

Witnesses described a sudden escalation in activity. A guide who was on the mountain with clients said he had noticed increasing volcanic pressure in the days before the eruption and described the blast as extremely powerful. He said he heard deep tremors and immediately descended with his group while others remained near the summit.

He also reported seeing some hikers close to the crater shortly before the eruption, including individuals filming or using drones.

Authorities said warnings against climbing Mount Dukono had been issued through official channels and displayed at trail entrances, but some hikers ignored them. Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, Basarnas, said early findings indicated possible negligence by tourism operators or individuals who proceeded despite the warnings, and said investigations are continuing.

Mount Dukono has erupted more than 200 times since March last year and is currently at level two on Indonesia’s four-tier volcanic alert system, which indicates heightened activity and the need for caution. Since December 2024, authorities have advised avoiding areas within 4km of the crater due to risks from ash, lava, and falling rocks.

Despite these warnings, hikers continue to climb the 1,335m volcano.

“Dukono is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia,” Siti Sumilah Rita Susilawati, head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation said in the same article.(MyTVCebu)