Deadly Eruption on Indonesia’s Mount Dukono Claims Three Climbers Who Ignored Warnings
Three hikers—two from Singapore and one from Indonesia—were killed on Thursday when Mount Dukono, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, erupted without warning on the remote island of Halmahera. The group of about 20 climbers had set out to ascend the 1,355-meter peak despite clear restrictions banning access to the danger zone.
North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu said the climbers knew climbing was prohibited due to the volcano’s high alert status but pushed ahead anyway. “They were aware, but insisted on going,” he told local television.
The eruption began at 7:41 a.m., sending a column of ash 10 kilometers into the sky. Seismographs recorded the blast for more than 16 minutes. Rescue teams were dispatched after receiving an emergency signal, but as of Friday afternoon, the bodies had not been recovered because continuing eruptions and dangerous conditions made it impossible to reach them.
Of the 20 climbers, 14—including seven foreign nationals—were safely evacuated. Five of those rescued were injured. Authorities are still searching for others believed to be making their way down the mountain.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has long banned all activity within 4 kilometers of Dukono’s crater, citing risks from flying volcanic rocks, ash, and toxic gases. Officials believe the hikers were inside that restricted zone when the volcano erupted.
Pasaribu noted that despite warning signs and social media alerts, “many people remain determined to climb, driven by the desire to create online content.”
Mount Dukono has been erupting almost continuously since 1933. It sits on Indonesia’s Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for intense seismic and volcanic activity. The volcano has been at its second highest alert level since late March, with nearly 200 eruptions recorded since March 30—an average of about 95 per day.
Friday’s blast was among the strongest in that period, according to Lana Saria, head of Indonesia’s Geology Agency. She warned that ash clouds, ranging from white to black, were drifting northward and could affect the town of Tobelo, posing health risks and disrupting travel.
Officials urged residents and tourists to stay calm, follow official guidance, and avoid restricted areas as monitoring continues.