- Three hikers, two Singaporeans and one Indonesian, lost their lives on Friday after being caught in a prohibited “no-go” zone during a massive eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island.
- The eruption sent a thick column of volcanic ash and smoke 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into the atmosphere, prompting warnings for residents in Tobelo City to prepare for ash rain.
- Officials confirmed that the hiking group entered a four-kilometer danger zone that had been strictly off-limits since December 2024 due to increased seismic activity.
Tragedy struck the slopes of Indonesia’s Mount Dukono on Friday when a sudden, violent eruption claimed the lives of three climbers.
Eko Hot Blog reports that according to North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu, twenty hikers were on the mountain when the volcano exploded at 7:42 am.
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While seventeen others were rescued, some with minor injuries, the bodies of the deceased remain on the mountain as ongoing volcanic activity has made evacuation efforts too dangerous for rescue teams.
A local tour guide, Alex Djangu, who witnessed the event from a safe distance, noted that the volcano had been uncharacteristically quiet before the blast, suggesting a massive build-up of pressure.
“Rocks were still coming out of the crater long after the initial eruption,” Djangu reported.
The intensity of the blast was described as the largest in recent memory for the active peak, which sits on the volatile Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
Authorities have expressed frustration over the incident, noting that the hikers reportedly ignored clear warning signs and social media appeals to stay away from the Malupang Warirang Crater.
The group’s guide and porter are now facing potential criminal charges for leading tourists into the restricted zone.
As Mount Dukono remains at a Level 2 alert, police have vowed to strictly monitor all access points to prevent further avoidable loss of life.
