Massive volcano kills hikers in Indonesia sparking emergency rescue mission

A volcanic eruption on Indonesia's Mount Dukono has killed three people this morning.

The dead include two Singaporean men, aged 27 and 30, along with a woman from the nearby city of Ternate.

The 1,335-metre peak sent an enormous ash plume approximately 10 kilometres into the atmosphere.

The eruption occurred at 07:41 local time whilst numerous hikers were ascending the volcano on North Maluku Island for early-morning treks.

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Footage and images from the scene captured the mountain ejecting a massive column of volcanic material high above its crater.

North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu confirmed the fatalities and noted that the victims' bodies remain near the crater as rescue teams work to retrieve them.

The victims were part of a group of 20 hikers, comprising Singaporeans and Indonesians, who ventured onto the mountain despite official restrictions prohibiting such climbs.

All surviving members of the group have since been located and brought down from the volcano, with 15 individuals transported to hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Two porters from the expedition chose to remain on the slopes to assist emergency workers in locating the deceased.

Recovery efforts have been severely hindered by ongoing volcanic activity, challenging terrain, and powerful blasts emanating from the crater.

The body retrieval operation was suspended as darkness fell on Friday evening and will recommence on Saturday, according to Mr Pasaribu.

Mount Dukono ranks among Indonesia's most active volcanoes, having erupted more than 200 times since last March.

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The Volcanological Survey of Indonesia currently classifies the peak at level two on its four-tier alert system, signifying heightened activity requiring caution.

Since December 2024, authorities have advised tourists and climbers to avoid all activities within a 4-kilometre radius of the main crater due to the risk of ejected rocks, ash, and lava.

Indonesia's search and rescue agency, Basarnas, said preliminary discussions among officials had identified "possible negligence by tourism operators or individuals" who continued the climb despite warnings.

It added: "The government is continuing to gather information to establish a complete account of the incident."

Police have confirmed they will question those who accompanied the hikers up the mountain.

One local told the BBC: "From the shelter, we can see ash and rock material continuously being ejected."

A guide who was on Mount Dukono with two clients at the time of the eruption added: "When Dukono hasn't erupted for a few days, you have to be careful."

He added: "I heard deep tremors. So I decided to immediately descend with the guests. And in the end, the three of us were safe."

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