Body Recovery After Mount Dukono Eruption Claims Hikers' Lives

Indonesian rescuers have recovered the remains of two Singaporean hikers who perished in a volcanic eruption on Mount Dukono. The operation spanned three days and concluded on Sunday, May 10, 2026. The eruption, which occurred on Friday, May 8, resulted in the tragic loss of three climbers and prompted the authorities to implement a search and rescue mission in a hazardous area.

Mount Dukono, located on Halmahera Island, erupted with considerable force, sending an ash plume towering 10 kilometres (approximately six miles) into the sky. Seventeen other hikers, including seven from Singapore, were successfully evacuated from the site amidst the turmoil.

On Sunday, the remains of the two deceased hikers were located, having been situated not far from where an Indonesian hiker’s body had been discovered the previous day. The official spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, Abdul Muhari, remarked on the challenges faced by rescuers, stating, "The evacuation process of the last two bodies encountered obstacles due to the victims' position, being buried under volcanic materials of significant thickness and depth."

Local rescue supervisor Iwan Ramdani described the recovery as occurring during a "golden moment" amid ongoing volcanic activity. The bodies were subsequently transported to a hospital for identification prior to being returned to their families.

Officials from the Singaporean embassy in Jakarta were present to aid in the repatriation of the seven survivors who were anticipated to return to Singapore on the same day.

Mount Dukono has been categorised under level two of Indonesia's four-tier alert system since 2008. An exclusion zone, stretching four kilometres around the crater, has been enforced since December 2024 to ensure public safety. Despite these measures, local police chief Erlichson Pasaribu reported that the hikers had disregarded warnings and social media advisories prohibiting access to the area.

Indonesia lies within the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', an area known for frequent seismic and volcanic activities, housing nearly 130 active volcanoes. The recent tragedy highlights the ongoing risks associated with climbing these volcanic sites, particularly during periods of heightened activity.