Indonesian rescuers have recovered the body of a woman who was caught in a volcanic eruption on Mount Dukono, located on the remote island of Halmahera. The search for two missing Singaporean hikers continues as volcanic activity remains high.
Eruption and Rescue Efforts
The woman, identified only as Enjel and known as a local hiker, was found on Saturday afternoon about 50 meters from the rim of the main crater, according to Iwan Ramdani, head of the local search and rescue office. The location of the two Singaporean climbers remains unknown, and rescue efforts are ongoing amid elevated volcanic activity.
“The rescue efforts went through a situation that required careful calculation and a well-planned evacuation strategy,” Ramdani said. “We took into account the potential escalation of volcanic activity as well as the safety of all personnel.”
Hikers Stranded After Eruption
The dead hikers were among 20 people who set out to scale the 1,355-meter (4,445-foot) volcano, defying safety restrictions. They became stranded when Dukono erupted early on Friday, spewing a thick ash column about 10 kilometers (6 miles) into the air.
Since the eruption, 17 hikers have been safely evacuated, including seven Singaporean nationals and two Indonesians who joined the rescue operation and provided information on the climbing routes of the victims. Ten of those evacuated suffered minor burn injuries.
Search Operation Challenges
The search operation, involving more than 100 people supported by drones, resumed early on Saturday, focusing on a 700-square-meter area where clues were found during earlier searches, despite hazardous terrain and continuing eruptions, according to Ramdani.
He added that rescuers were prioritizing safety because Dukono’s volcanic activity remains elevated. “The main challenge in this search effort is that we are racing against eruptions,” Ramdani said in a video statement. “When the authorities declare conditions safe, we move closer to the crater area, but when an eruption occurs, we must immediately secure all search personnel from potential danger.”
Volcanic Activity and Warnings
Indonesia’s volcanology agency reported a series of eruptions from early Saturday into the late morning, including ash columns rising to 3,000 meters (10,000 feet). Lava bursts were also observed overnight. Mount Dukono has been on the second-highest alert level status since 2008. The volcanology agency had recommended a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) exclusion zone around the active crater in December 2024.
All hiking routes to Mount Dukono were closed by local authorities in April, and the ban was reinforced after Friday’s incident. The national disaster management agency warned that entering restricted zones could result in legal sanctions, and urged climbers and tour operators to comply with safety recommendations.
Indonesia's Volcanic Landscape
Indonesia, an archipelago nation of more than 270 million people, sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is home to more than 120 active volcanoes. The eruption of Mount Dukono serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by volcanic activity in the region.
