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Hikers Perish in Indonesian Volcano Eruption
10 May
Summary
- Two Singaporean hikers found dead two days after volcanic eruption.
- Victims were near the crater rim when Mount Dukono erupted on Friday.
- Rescue efforts were hampered by deep, dense volcanic material and ash.
Rescuers on Indonesia's Halmahera island recovered the bodies of two Singaporean hikers on Sunday, May 11, 2026. The hikers were victims of an eruption on Mount Dukono that occurred on Friday, May 9, 2026. Their remains were found near the location where an Indonesian hiker's body was recovered the previous day.
All three hikers had been positioned approximately 50 meters from the main crater's rim when the volcano erupted. Mount Dukono spewed a dense ash column reaching about 10 kilometers into the atmosphere. The eruption prompted authorities to enforce a 4-kilometer danger zone around the crater.
The evacuation of the deceased was complicated by thick, densely packed volcanic material, which significantly slowed the rescue teams' progress. Search teams, comprising nearly 100 personnel, navigated extreme terrain and ongoing volcanic activity. The local search and rescue department confirmed the operation concluded after the bodies were transported to Tobelo Regional Hospital.
The National Disaster Management Agency emphasized the importance of adhering to safety regulations, particularly for tour operators and visitors. Mount Dukono is one of Indonesia's numerous active volcanoes, situated within the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire."
