JAKARTA, Indonesia: At least three hikers, including two foreign nationals, were killed while 10 others remained missing after Mount Dukono erupted on Friday, authorities said, as emergency teams struggled to carry out rescue operations amid dangerous volcanic conditions.
The powerful eruption occurred on Halmahera island in eastern Indonesia, sending a huge column of ash around 10 kilometres into the air and triggering panic among climbers in the area.
According to reports, North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu told local broadcaster Kompas TV that the victims included two foreigners and one resident from nearby Ternate island.
“Three people have died – two foreign tourists and one local resident,” he said. According to officials, seven hikers managed to descend safely from the mountain, while search efforts continued for 10 others believed to be trapped in an area that had already been declared off-limits due to heightened volcanic activity.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said five climbers also suffered injuries during the eruption.
BNPB spokesman Abdul Muhari said rescue personnel from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) were continuing evacuation efforts despite worsening conditions around the volcano.
“The joint rescue teams are conducting sweeps and evacuations in the mountain area as volcanic activity intensifies,” Abdul said in a statement.
Authorities said the evacuation mission was being hampered by rough and inaccessible terrain. Vehicles could only travel partway up the slope, forcing rescuers to carry victims manually on stretchers through difficult mountain paths.
Pasaribu said ongoing rumbling from the volcano was also slowing operations and increasing risks for emergency workers.
“The remaining journey must be done on foot using stretchers, while the eruption continues to produce tremors and rumbling sounds,” he said.
Head of Indonesia’s Geology Agency Lana Saria said the eruption took place early Friday morning and was accompanied by a loud booming sound.
She added that thick volcanic smoke had risen approximately 10 kilometres above the summit of Mount Dukono, with ash clouds drifting northwards towards populated areas, including Tobelo City.
“The ash distribution is moving towards northern areas, and residents should remain alert for possible volcanic ash rainfall,” Lana said.
Officials warned that the volcanic ash could pose serious health risks and may also disrupt transportation and aviation services in the region.
According to AFP, Indonesia sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a highly active seismic zone where several tectonic plates meet, making the country one of the world’s most volcanically active regions.
The Southeast Asian archipelago is home to nearly 130 active volcanoes and frequently experiences earthquakes and eruptions. Mount Dukono remains on level two of Indonesia’s four-tier volcanic alert system.
Since December, the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) had advised tourists and climbers to stay at least four kilometres away from the volcano’s Malupang Warirang Crater following increased volcanic activity.
Police said many hikers had ignored warning signs and social media advisories placed near the trail entrance. “Local residents understand the risks and avoid climbing the mountain,” Pasaribu said. “Most of those attempting the hike are foreign tourists seeking to create social media content.”
