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View all search resultsRescuers locate two missing Singaporeans after Mount Dukono eruption
One Indonesian female hiker was confirmed dead, with her body had been recovered by the rescuers and handed to her family.
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Rescue workers stand by after the volcanic eruption of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera, North Maluku, on May 8, 2026.
Three hikers died in an eruption of Mount Dukono volcano on May 8 where they found themselves in a no-go zone, officials said. (Handout/National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas))
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oint search and rescue team located on Saturday the position of two missing Singaporeans, although it was not known if they were alive, and confirmed the death of an Indonesian female hiker after Mount Dukono erupted in North Halmahera, North Maluku on Friday.
"We have identified the coordinates of their locations. It's around the crater rim," said Iwan Ramdani, head of National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) office in North Maluku capital of Ternate, to Reuters. "This is on drone surveillance and is consistent with witness accounts."
Both appeared to be 20 to 30 meters from the rim of the main crater, said National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Abdul Muhari.
The Indonesian woman's body had been recovered and handed to her family, Iwan added.
Located in northern part of Halmahera Island, the volcano began erupting on Friday, spewing ash as high as 10 kilometers.
On Saturday evening, rescuers temporarily halted the search due to continuous eruptions. Operations will be resumed on Sunday, Iwan said. At least 100 rescuers, military and police personnel, as well as two thermal drones, were deployed early on Saturday.
Evacuations were hampered by the extreme terrain and continued eruptions.
Authorities on Friday evacuated 17 people, namely seven Singaporeans and 10 Indonesians. The hikers told police the three missing people, including the Singaporeans, were dead, North Halmahera Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Erlichson Pasaribu had said.
Erlichson said that they are investigating a tour company which provided services for the hikers over possible negligence that endangered others' lives.
They have questioned six people but did not arrest them. Police will investigate further why the tour company took tourists to climb Mount Dukono although climbing had been banned.
The police chief said hiking to Dukono's summit has been prohibited since 2024 due to eruptions, and the local government banned all climbing activities in April this year following increased eruptions.
The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMB) is maintaining the third-highest alert level for Mount Dukono and bans any activities within 4 km of the crater. There were no reports of flight disruptions caused by the eruption.
Mount Dukono has an elevation of about 1,087 m and is regarded as one of the country's most persistently active volcanoes.
