Tragedy on Mount Dukono: One Hiker Dead and Two Missing After Defying Exclusion Zone

Rescue Operations Marred by Continued Volcanic Activity

Rescuers on the remote Indonesian island of Halmahera have recovered the body of a local woman following a violent eruption of Mount Dukono. The victim, identified by authorities as a hiker named Enjel, was discovered on Saturday afternoon approximately 50 meters from the rim of the volcano’s main crater. The recovery comes as search and rescue teams intensify efforts to locate two Singaporean nationals who remain missing after the group ignored official safety restrictions to summit the active peak.

A Dangerous Race Against Nature

The incident began early Friday when a group of 20 hikers attempted to scale the 1,355-meter volcano despite a long-standing ban on trekking in the area. When Dukono erupted, it sent a massive column of ash six miles into the atmosphere, trapping the group. While 17 hikers have been successfully evacuated—including seven Singaporeans and two Indonesian guides—ten of the survivors are currently receiving treatment for minor burn injuries. Iwan Ramdani, head of the local search and rescue office, emphasized that the ongoing operation is a race against time, with crews forced to retreat whenever fresh eruptions occur.

Ignoring Long-Standing Safety Warnings

Mount Dukono has been under a high-level alert status since 2008, with authorities enforcing a 4km exclusion zone due to its unpredictable nature. All hiking routes were officially closed in April, a mandate that was reinforced following this week’s tragedy. The Indonesian national disaster management agency has warned that those who enter restricted zones face potential legal sanctions, urging tour operators and independent climbers to respect the hazardous conditions of the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire.’

Current Status of the Search

More than 100 personnel, supported by drone technology, are currently scouring a 700-square-meter area where clues were recently discovered. However, the terrain remains treacherous. On Saturday morning alone, the volcanology agency reported multiple eruptions with ash columns reaching 10,000 feet and visible lava bursts overnight. Search teams remain on high alert, balancing the urgency of finding the missing climbers with the volatile shifts in volcanic activity.