A major search and rescue operation is underway in Indonesia after an eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera island left around 20 hikers missing, including nine tourists from Singapore. Authorities confirmed that the volcano erupted early Friday morning, sending a massive ash and smoke column nearly 10 kilometres into the sky and prompting urgent rescue efforts amid difficult weather and terrain conditions.
Rescue Teams Deployed Amid Uncertain Conditions in Mount Dukono
Local rescue officials said teams have been dispatched immediately to locate the missing hikers, though no confirmation has yet been made regarding casualties or injuries. “Our team is on its way. It is not yet confirmed if there are any injured people. Based on reports, about 20 people are being searched for,” said local rescue official Iwan Ramdani. He confirmed that all those missing were hikers, despite the fact that the area had been officially closed to visitors since April 17 due to rising volcanic activity. Authorities fear that some visitors may have entered restricted zones despite warnings issued by scientists and disaster management agencies.
Explosive Eruption and Ash Cloud Spread
The eruption of Mount Dukono in North Maluku province was accompanied by a loud booming sound and a thick ash plume rising dramatically from the summit. According to Lana Saria, head of Indonesia’s Geology Agency, the ash column reached approximately 10 kilometres into the atmosphere, while wind patterns pushed the volcanic ash northward.
“The direction of the ash distribution leans northward, so residential areas and Tobelo City need to be vigilant for volcanic ash rain,” she said in an official statement. Authorities also warned that volcanic ash could pose serious health risks, particularly affecting respiratory conditions, while also potentially disrupting air and ground transportation in surrounding regions.
Volcano on High Alert Level
Indonesia’s volcanology authorities have placed Mount Dukono on the third-highest alert level in the country’s four-tier volcanic warning system. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has repeatedly advised tourists and climbers to maintain a safe distance of at least four kilometres from the Malupang Warirang Crater since December, citing increased volcanic activity. Despite these warnings, officials believe some hikers may have entered restricted areas before or during the eruption.
Indonesia’s Ring of Fire Risk Zone
Indonesia, an archipelago nation of more than 17,000 islands, is located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the world’s most active seismic zones. The region frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to the collision of tectonic plates. Mount Dukono is among the country’s most active volcanoes, known for frequent eruptions and persistent volcanic activity over the years.
Ongoing Search Efforts
Rescue teams are continuing operations under challenging conditions, including reduced visibility from ash clouds and unstable volcanic terrain. Authorities have urged nearby communities and visitors to remain alert and follow official safety instructions. Further updates are expected as search and rescue operations continue and authorities assess the scale of the eruption’s impact.
