Mount Dukono — A violent eruption of Mount Dukono on the Indonesian island of Halmahera has left three hikers dead and triggered a dramatic rescue operation for more than a dozen others trapped near the crater. The eruption, which sent a massive column of ash and smoke thousands of feet into the sky on Friday morning, has forced authorities to suspend search efforts for the victims bodies due to ongoing volcanic activity.
Mount Dukono, one of Indonesias most active volcanoes, erupted without warning at approximately 6:30 a.m. local time on May 8, 2026, catching dozens of hikers who had ascended the 1,335-meter (4,380-foot) peak to witness the sunrise. The explosion sent pyroclastic material and superheated gas cascading down the mountains slopes, creating a scene of chaos as climbers scrambled to escape the ash clouds that rapidly engulfed the summit.
The Eruption and Immediate Aftermath
North Halmahera Police Chief Erlichson Pasaribu confirmed that three hikers — including Singapore nationals and an Indonesian citizen — were killed in the eruption. The bodies of the victims remain on the mountain as rescue teams have been unable to retrieve them due to continued volcanic activity. “The conditions are too dangerous for our teams to approach the summit area,” Pasaribu told Indonesian media.
According to the national search and rescue authority BASARNAS, at least nine foreign nationals and 11 local hikers were climbing Mount Dukono at the time of the eruption. Dramatic video captured by Alex Djangu, a local mountain guide who was leading two German tourists up the mountain, shows the terrifying moment the volcano erupted. “I felt deep tremors, then I saw small rocks and gravel sliding down. I told my clients we had to run down immediately,” Djangu told CNN. “It was very scary.”
Fifteen tourists who had climbed the mountain have successfully descended to safety, according to an update from Pasaribu on Friday afternoon. Two additional climbers remain on Mount Dukono and are now participating in the rescue operation rather than awaiting evacuation.
Aviation Alert and Regional Impact
The eruption prompted Indonesias Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) to issue an immediate aviation warning, advising all flights in the region to avoid the ash plume that extended thousands of meters into the atmosphere. Volcanic ash poses a significant threat to aircraft engines, and several regional airports were placed on heightened alert.
Mount Dukono, located on Halmahera Island in North Maluku province, has been intermittently active for decades, with its most recent significant eruption occurring in 2024. However, Friday eruption was described by volcanologists as unusually violent for the volcano, which typically exhibits Strombolian-style activity characterized by moderate explosions and lava flows.
“The eruption caught everyone by surprise. Mount Dukono is monitored, but the intensity of this morning event exceeded what our instruments predicted. We are working closely with search and rescue teams to assess the full extent of the damage.”
— PVMBG official statement
Indonesia Volcanic Hazard Landscape
Indonesia sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped zone of intense seismic and volcanic activity that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific. The archipelago nation is home to 127 active volcanoes, more than any other country in the world. Mount Dukono is one of the most active, with eruptions recorded as far back as the 16th century.
The tragedy highlights the growing tension between Indonesia booming adventure tourism industry and the inherent risks posed by its volatile geology. Hiking expeditions to active volcanoes have become increasingly popular among both domestic and international tourists, drawn by the promise of dramatic landscapes and sunrise views from volcanic peaks. In 2025 alone, an estimated 50,000 tourists climbed active volcanoes across Indonesia, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
“We need to reassess the safety protocols for guided climbs on active volcanoes,” said Dr. Ratna Dewi, a volcanologist at the University of Indonesia. “While we cannot predict eruptions with perfect accuracy, we can implement better early warning systems and mandatory safety equipment for climbers.”
International Response and Diplomatic Engagement
The Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the families of affected Singapore nationals. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives,” a ministry spokesperson said.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed his condolences and directed the National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) to coordinate with local authorities on rescue and recovery efforts. The president also called for a comprehensive review of safety protocols at popular volcano climbing destinations across the country.
The German Embassy in Jakarta confirmed it is in contact with local authorities regarding the two German tourists who were guided to safety by Djangu. Both tourists are reported to be in stable condition and receiving medical attention.
Looking Ahead: Search, Recovery, and Prevention
Search and rescue operations remain ongoing, though authorities have cautioned that the recovery of the three victims bodies may take days or even weeks depending on volcanic activity. The PVMBG has maintained the volcano alert status at Level II (Waspada), the second-highest warning level, and established a 2-kilometer exclusion zone around the crater.
For the families awaiting news of their loved ones and the survivors grappling with the trauma of Friday events, the tragedy at Mount Dukono serves as a stark reminder of nature unpredictability — and the human cost when the earth decides to remind us who is truly in control.
Reporting contributed by correspondents in Jakarta, Singapore, and Berlin.
