Indonesia’s Dukono Volcano eruption leaves one dead, two Singaporeans missing

A grey-to-black ash column from Dukono Volcano’s eruption, as seen from the Dukono Volcano Observation Post in Mamuya Village, North Halmahera, on May 9. (Dukono Volcano Observation Post via BNPB)

The National Research and Rescue Agency immediately deployed a joint search and rescue (SAR) team in response to the eruption of Dukono Volcano, Maluku, Indonesia, on May 8. This operation involves the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Armed Forces and Police (TNI/Polri), the Mount Dukono Volcano Observation Post as well as medical personnel and local volunteers.

A National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) report disclosed that a total of 20 climbers (nine Singaporean and 11 Indonesians) were in the mountain area at the time of the eruption. By that same evening, 17 people had been successfully evacuated, while the three remaining climbers (two Singaporean and one Indonesian) were still missing.

Following advice from the Dukono Volcano Observation Post, operations continued the following day due to extreme terrain conditions and intensified volcanic activity, including the potential for incandescent lava ejections.

On May 9, the search focused on sweeping the area near the rim of the main crater, where the two foreign nationals were suspected to be located based on preliminary information gathered by the first-day rescue team. According to BNPB, rescuers were required to plan the evacuation with extreme caution, carefully weighing the threat of further eruptions against the safety of the rescue team.

Later that afternoon, BNPB Spokesperson Abdul Muhari reported the discovery of a body, subsequently identified as Indonesian. According to Muhari, the deceased was found approximately 50 metres from the volcano’s primary crater rim.

BNPB regrets the casualties resulting from this incident and urges the public to comply with local government directives, noting that the North Halmahera Regency Government had previously imposed an official ban on all climbing activities on Mount Dukono, effective April 17. 

Indonesia’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) had also recorded ongoing eruptions at Dukono since April 30. With the volcano remaining at a Level 2 alert, the public had already been warned to stay clear of a dangerous zone within four kilometres of the active crater.

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Elisabeth Xaviera

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