Two Singaporeans and an Indonesian hiker have died after Indonesia's Mount Dukono volcano erupted, officials confirmed. The victims were in a prohibited zone when the eruption occurred on Halmahera island, sending an ash cloud approximately 10km into the air.
North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu stated that 20 hikers were on the slopes at the time, including nine from Singapore and 11 Indonesians. Fifteen climbers have safely descended, while the bodies of the three deceased remain on the mountain due to ongoing eruptions making evacuation unsafe.
Some hikers sustained minor injuries and were hospitalised. The group's guide and a porter are being questioned and may face criminal charges for leading hikers into a restricted area. Since December, authorities had warned against approaching within 4km of the Malupang Warirang crater due to increased seismic activity.
Pasaribu noted that hikers ignored social media appeals and warning signs. He said, 'Local residents understand and don't want to climb. Many hikers are foreign tourists who wish to create content.' The volcano remains at alert level 2 on Indonesia's four-tier system, and officials have vowed strict monitoring to prevent further incidents.
