Bodies of two tourists missing after a volcano erupted in Indonesia have been discovered holding each other under rock debris, according to rescue officials. The Singaporean nationals were found grasping each other beneath rubble following the eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera island.
Difficult Recovery Operation
The bodies were retrieved in a challenging operation hampered by extreme terrain and heavy rainfall, said Iwan Ramdani, head of Indonesia's rescue agency. The remains have been taken to a local hospital for autopsy. The volcano continued to erupt, spewing ash since Friday, complicating evacuation efforts. At its peak, debris reached as high as six miles into the sky.
Ignored Warnings
Despite social media warnings, several climbers persisted in ascending the mountain, driven by a desire to create online content, said North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu. He noted that they were aware climbing was prohibited due to the mountain's high alert status but insisted on proceeding.
A search operation on Sunday involved around 150 personnel using thermal drones to scan the crater rim. On Saturday, one Indonesian hiker was confirmed dead, while 17 others—including seven Singaporeans and ten Indonesians—survived. The country's Foreign Ministry stated that the seven rescued would return to Singapore on Sunday.
Continued Volcanic Activity
Four further eruptions were reported on Sunday by Indonesia's volcanology agency, with one sending ash nearly a mile high. Activity has been banned within 2.5 miles of the crater, as Mount Dukono remains on the third-highest alert level. It is not yet clear when the bodies of the deceased will be repatriated.
