JAKARTA – Rescue operations for two missing hikers from Singapore remain severely challenged by ongoing volcanic activity and harsh weather conditions at Mount Dukono in Indonesia, according to local officials who expressed little hope for finding the pair alive.
Local rescue agency chief Iwan Ramdani reported that approximately 150 rescue workers equipped with two thermal drones have been conducting search operations since Sunday morning, concentrating their efforts within 100-150 meters of the volcanic crater’s edge.
“However, Mount Dukono continues to erupt and rain is also falling in the area. We carry out rescue efforts during intervals when there are no eruptions,” Iwan told Reuters.
The volcano, situated in North Maluku province along the Pacific Ocean, initially erupted Friday and launched ash columns reaching 10 kilometers into the sky. Smaller-scale eruptions have persisted since the initial blast.
According to Iwan, volcanic ash still covers the crater area, while search teams are combing approximately 1.25 kilometers around where the missing hikers were last seen.
Search teams have discovered backpacks believed to belong to the two Singapore nationals. Police chief Erlichson Pasaribu previously stated that survivors reported the pair had died.
Indonesian authorities confirmed Saturday that one missing Indonesian hiker was found dead.
The volcanic incident left 17 people alive, including seven from Singapore and 10 Indonesians.
Singapore’s Foreign Ministry announced in a statement that the surviving Singapore citizens would return home Sunday.
Indonesia’s volcano monitoring agency documented at least three eruptions by Sunday morning, with the largest sending ash 1.3 kilometers skyward.
The agency continues enforcing its third-highest danger warning for Mount Dukono and prohibits all human activity within 4 kilometers of the crater.
