A violent eruption of Mount Dukono in Indonesia’s North Maluku province killed three people and triggered a massive rescue operation to save over a dozen stranded hikers on Friday morning. Among the deceased are Singaporean nationals and one Indonesian citizen, according to local police and search and rescue officials.
At the time of the eruption, 20 climbers, comprising nine foreigners and 11 locals, were navigating the slopes of the highly active volcano. North Halmahera Police Chief Erlichson Pasaribu confirmed that 17 of the climbers have been safely evacuated, though some sustained injuries.
Iwan Ramdani, head of the Ternate Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, stated that the bodies of the three victims remain on the mountain. Search operations were suspended Friday evening and are scheduled to resume at daybreak on Saturday.
Witness accounts describe a terrifying scene at the summit. Alex Djangu, a local guide who was leading two German tourists, recalled feeling deep tremors before rocks and gravel began sliding down the slopes.
“I saw the small rocks and gravel sliding down because of the tremors, then I told my clients we have to run down,” Djangu said. He noted that while his group escaped, others were standing near the crater rim or recording content when the mountain exploded.
Authorities had already flagged Mount Dukono for increased activity. Since December 2024, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) had advised against all activity within a 4-kilometer radius of the crater.
🚨 Mount Dukono, located on the island of Halmahera in North Maluku province of Indonesia, erupted at 7:41 am local time today, sending ash 10 kilometres into the sky. pic.twitter.com/YobWzEs000
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) May 8, 2026