JAKARTA – Emergency rescue teams in Indonesia are working urgently to reach 20 hikers who became trapped following Friday morning’s eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera island, according to local rescue officials.
The volcano, situated in North Maluku province, began erupting at 7:41 a.m. local time on Friday, launching volcanic debris and ash approximately 6 miles high into the atmosphere, Indonesia’s volcanology agency reported.
Agency head Lana Saria confirmed in an official statement that the mountain’s alert level remains at the third-highest warning status.
Local rescue agency chief Iwan Ramdani confirmed to Reuters that search teams consisting of numerous personnel, including law enforcement officers, have been dispatched to locate the stranded hikers. Among those trapped, nine individuals are citizens of Singapore while the remaining eleven are Indonesian nationals, Ramdani reported.
Officials have issued safety warnings urging local residents to avoid all activities within a 2.5-mile radius of the volcanic crater.
The volcanology agency has also cautioned about potential dangers from volcanic mudflows that could occur during rainfall.
Aviation authorities have not yet reported any flight cancellations or delays resulting from the volcanic activity.
