Three Hikers Die in Mount Dukono Eruption Despite Warnings

Three hikers died after Mount Dukono in Indonesia erupted Friday morning.

The volcano on North Maluku island sent a column of ash 10 km (six miles) into the sky, according to videos and pictures of the event.

The victims belonged to a group of 20 Singaporeans and Indonesians who climbed the mountain despite restrictions. Rescuers found the rest of the group and evacuated them. Most received hospital treatment for injuries.

Two porters from the group remained on the mountain to assist rescue workers in locating the bodies.

Mount Dukono has erupted more than 200 times since last March. Officials had warned against climbing due to safety risks and posted notices on social media and at trailheads.

The latest eruption occurred at 07:41 local time (22:41 GMT Thursday), with several hikers on early morning treks. Indonesian officials identified the dead as two Singaporeans and one resident of Ternate, the nearby city.

North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu said repeated eruptions, tough terrain and strong blasts have slowed efforts to retrieve the bodies from higher elevations.

Eyewitnesses reported other hikers on the mountain besides the 20-person group.

A guide with two clients on the mountain at the time told BBC Indonesian high pressure had built inside the volcano for days. "When Dukono hasn't erupted for a few days, you have to be careful," he said. He called the blast "major" and "very strong."

As they ascended, the guide spotted one group at the crater edge and another 50 meters away filming with a drone. "I heard deep tremors. So I decided to immediately descend with the guests. And in the end, the three of us were safe."

He added that many hikers remained at the summit as he descended.

On Friday afternoon, the volcano continued emitting ash and rocks from its crater, said Aldy Salabia, a local resident helping rescuers at a mountain shelter. "From the shelter, we can see ash and rock material continuously being ejected,"

Indonesia's search and rescue agency Basarnas said authorities suspect possible negligence by tour operators or individuals who ignored the warnings. "The government is continuing to gather information to establish a complete account of the incident,"

Mount Dukono sits at level two on the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia's four-tier alert system, signaling heightened activity. Since December 2024, the agency has advised against activities within 4 km of the main crater due to risks from rocks, ash and lava.