JAKARTA, Indonesia — Three mountain climbers lost their lives when Mount Dukono volcano violently erupted on a remote Indonesian island, officials confirmed Friday.
Around 20 adventurers had begun their ascent of the 4,445-foot peak on Halmahera island Thursday, ignoring established safety barriers, according to North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu.
The group found themselves trapped when the volcano exploded at 7:41 a.m. local time, launching a massive ash plume approximately 6.2 miles above the mountain’s peak. Seismic equipment registered the blast for over 16 minutes, Indonesia’s Geological Agency reported.
“They were aware that climbing was prohibited as the mountain is the restricted zone due to its high alert status, but insisted on going ahead,” Pasaribu said in a television interview.
Emergency crews mobilized after receiving distress signals from the volcanic area. Three men — two from Singapore and one Indonesian citizen — perished at the location, Pasaribu confirmed.
By Friday afternoon, rescue operations had successfully brought down 14 climbers, including seven international visitors. Five of those rescued sustained injuries. Search teams remained active looking for additional climbers thought to be making their way down the mountain.
Recovery of the victims’ remains has been impossible due to ongoing volcanic activity and hazardous conditions blocking rescue access to the site.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has maintained a long-standing prohibition on all activities within 2.5 miles of Dukono’s crater, warning of dangers including volcanic projectiles, ash deposits and poisonous gases. Officials suspect the hikers were within the forbidden area when the eruption occurred.
Even with social media alerts and posted warnings at the location, “many people remain determined to climb, driven by the desire to create online content,” Pasaribu said.
Mount Dukono ranks among Indonesia’s most restless volcanoes, maintaining nearly constant eruptions since 1933. The nation lies within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for intense earthquake and volcanic activity, hosting over 120 active volcanic peaks.
Officials also cautioned about potential secondary dangers, including volcanic mud flows, particularly during heavy rainfall, which could flow down rivers originating from the volcano’s flanks.
Volcanic conditions at Dukono continue at elevated levels, with authorities maintaining the second-highest alert status. The volcano has demonstrated increased explosive activity since late March, recording nearly 200 eruptions since March 30 with roughly 95 daily occurrences.
“Friday’s eruption was among the strongest during this period,” said Lana Saria, director of Indonesia’s Geology Agency at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. She noted that ash clouds varying from white to gray to black were drifting northward.
She cautioned that falling ash could impact surrounding communities, including Tobelo town, creating health concerns and disrupting transportation and everyday activities.
Authorities advised residents, visitors and mountaineers to stay composed, heed official instructions and stay away from prohibited zones while Mount Dukono monitoring continues.
