Two Singaporean hikers have been confirmed dead following the eruption of Mount Dukono on Indonesia's Halmahera island. The victims, identified as Heng Wen Qiang Timothy, 30, and Shahin Muhrez bin Abdul Hamid, 27, died alongside an Indonesian woman when the volcano erupted on Friday.
The bodies of the Singaporeans were discovered near the crater rim, according to Iwan Ramdani, head of the local rescue agency. Backpacks believed to belong to the two men were also recovered. However, evacuation efforts have been hampered by ongoing eruptions and adverse weather conditions.
The Indonesian woman's body was retrieved on Saturday and sent to a regional hospital for identification. Approximately 20 climbers had set out on Thursday to ascend the 1,355-metre volcano, despite safety restrictions prohibiting climbing due to the mountain's high alert status.
Police chief Erlichson Pasaribu stated that the climbers were aware of the prohibition but insisted on proceeding. Seventeen climbers have been safely evacuated, including seven Singaporeans and two Indonesians who assisted in rescue operations. Five evacuees sustained injuries.
A team of 150 personnel and two thermal drones were deployed for the search operation. Local guides are under investigation for alleged negligence leading to the deaths. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has long banned activities within a 4km danger zone around Dukono's crater due to risks of explosions, ashfall, and toxic gases.
Mount Dukono, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, has been erupting almost continuously since 1933. Authorities warn of secondary hazards such as volcanic mudflows, especially during heavy rain. The volcano remains at the second-highest alert level, with an average of 95 eruptions daily since late March.
