Indonesian Guide Recounts Eruption on Mount Dukono That Killed Three Hikers

An Indonesian guide who led hikers up Mount Dukono recounted the eruption on Friday that killed three people in his group.

Reza Selang escaped being crushed by a large rock from the crater. It landed on two hikers beside him. "There are no words. Until now I still feel torn apart, I still can't believe it... right now I am deeply devastated," he told the BBC by phone on Monday.

Authorities reported two Singaporeans and one Indonesian died. The other hikers reached safety after evacuation from the mountain on Halmahera island in North Maluku.

The group of 20 hikers, Singaporeans and Indonesians, reached the summit despite prior warnings. The volcano erupted more than 200 times since late March. Since April 17, officials banned climbing permits and restricted public access within 4 km (2.5 miles) of the crater. They posted warnings on social media and at trailheads.

Reza said he did not know about the ban when he started the trip. Local villagers he hired to help also said nothing about it.

Reza operates a tour company in North Maluku. Last year, Singaporean Timothy Heng, who organized adventure trips, hired him to guide the group up Dukono and other peaks.

The hike began Thursday afternoon with no signs of activity. "There was no eruption or anything. Nothing," Reza said. Friday morning stayed calm at the summit. His drone showed no smoke or activity in the crater.

He let 14 hikers, including Heng, approach the crater if they descended quickly. Reza and others waited below. At 07:40 local time, he flew his drone to watch them. One minute later, the mountain erupted.

"Within one minute there were two eruptions. The first eruption only released smoke. Maybe around 15 or 20 seconds later, the second eruption happened and it released all the [volcanic] material," he said.

The group ran downhill. Reza's drone spotted Singaporean hiker Shahin Muhrez bin Abdul Hamid on the ground near the crater. Reza grabbed his drone and climbed to help. Heng returned too.

They dragged Shahin down as "rocks were falling to our left and right." A 2-meter (6.5-foot) rock bounced toward them from the crater.

"Timothy turned back, and in only a split second he immediately hugged Shahin," Reza said. The rock crushed Heng and Shahin.

Reza froze for about a minute, then ran down. He notified authorities, who started a search for the two Singaporeans and missing Indonesian hiker Angel Krishela Pradita. Reza and a team member helped.

Angel's body turned up near the summit Saturday. Heng and Shahin's remains came Sunday. Rescue video showed workers digging ash under a large rock for bone fragments.

Surviving hikers got hospital care nearby. Remaining Singaporeans went home.

Authorities closed all Mount Dukono entrances permanently since Friday. They warned of sanctions for violations and opened an investigation into "possible negligence by tourism operators or individuals."

Reza spoke to local police and gave them drone footage. North Halmahera Police said the climb "is strongly suspected of violating regulations." They questioned two people linked to Reza's company, including one with his initials. The men are witnesses now, but police will check each person's role. "Parties whose negligence caused the loss of tourists' lives" face no tolerance.

"Whatever legal consequences happen, I have to accept them, whether I'm ready or not. I just hope it ends quickly," Reza said.

He knew the volcano sat at alert level two, signaling increased activity and eruption risk with area bans. He waits for the probe's end amid regrets.

"Of course there are many regrets, many what-ifs. What if we hadn't climbed, what if I hadn't accepted [the job]... So many what-ifs, so many. I feel very guilty toward the victims and their families... I feel like I want to go [to Singapore] and kneel at the victims' parents' feet. I want to apologise."