"The area had been closed to visitors since April 17 due to increased volcanic activity."
Deadly Eruption on Mount Dukono: Search for Missing Hikers Intensifies
On Friday at 07:41 local time (22:41 GMT Thursday), Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island, Indonesia, erupted violently. The blast sent a towering column of volcanic ash up to 10 km into the sky and produced weak to strong booming sounds heard across the region.
At least three hikers, including two foreigners, were killed in the eruption. Authorities are now conducting a large-scale search for 20 missing hikers, nine of whom are from Singapore.
Rescue and Safety Response
Dozens of personnel, including police, have been deployed to locate the missing hikers. The area surrounding the Malupang Warirang crater had already been closed to visitors since April 17 due to a significant increase in volcanic activity.
Authorities advise all residents and tourists to remain at least 4 km from the crater. A specific warning has been issued for Tobelo town regarding the potential for volcanic ash rain.
Ongoing Hazards
Beyond the ash cloud, the eruption poses several other serious threats. Ejected rocks and lava flows remain active hazards for anyone in the vicinity.
Background on Mount Dukono
Mount Dukono is an extremely active volcano. Since March, it has been in a state of near-constant unrest, experiencing nearly 200 separate eruptions. This latest event underscores the persistent danger posed by the volcano.