A violent eruption of Mount Dukono in Indonesia's North Maluku province has resulted in the deaths of three hikers and prompted a massive rescue operation for over a dozen stranded climbers. The incident occurred on Friday morning, according to local police and search and rescue officials.
Victims and Evacuations
Among the deceased are Singaporean nationals and one Indonesian citizen. At the time of the eruption, 20 climbers, including nine foreigners and 11 locals, were navigating the slopes of the highly active volcano. North Halmahera Police Chief Erlichson Pasaribu confirmed that 17 of the climbers have been safely evacuated, though some sustained injuries.
Ongoing Search Efforts
Iwan Ramdani, head of the Ternate Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, stated that the bodies of the three victims remain on the mountain. Search operations were suspended on Friday evening and are scheduled to resume at daybreak on Saturday.
Witness Accounts
Alex Djangu, a local guide leading two German tourists, described a terrifying scene at the summit. He recalled feeling deep tremors before rocks and gravel began sliding down the slopes. "I saw the small rocks and gravel sliding down because of the tremors, then I told my clients we have to run down," Djangu said. He noted that while his group escaped, others were standing near the crater rim or recording content when the mountain exploded.
Previous Warnings
Authorities had already flagged Mount Dukono for increased activity. Since December 2024, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) had advised against all activity within a 4-kilometer radius of the crater. Despite these warnings, the volcano's relative quiet in the days leading up to the disaster may have lured hikers into a false sense of security. Djangu warned that such lulls often indicate a dangerous buildup of internal pressure.
Geological Context
Indonesia, which sits on the seismically volatile "Ring of Fire," continues to deal with the aftermath. BASARNAS teams are navigating thick forest and ash-covered terrain to complete the recovery.
