Indonesiavolcanic eruptionnatural disasterMount DukonoSingaporean hikers
Indonesian Rescuers Recover Bodies of Two Singaporean Hikers After Mount Dukono Eruption
Published: May 10, 2026
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Indonesian search and rescue teams recovered the bodies of two Singaporean hikers killed in an eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island on Sunday, May 10, 2026, concluding a three-day operation, officials said. The volcano erupted on Friday, May 8, sending ash 10 kilometers into the air and killing three climbers, including one Indonesian, in a restricted zone where access had been banned since 2024.
Seventeen other hikers, including seven Singaporeans, were safely evacuated before the recovery of the final two victims, whose remains were found buried under thick volcanic debris near the site where the Indonesian climber was discovered the previous day. National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Abdul Muhari said the recovery was hampered by the depth and weight of the material covering the bodies.
Local rescue chief Iwan Ramdani said the operation took place during a brief pause in activity, allowing teams to act between eruptions, and the remains were transported to a hospital for identification before being released to families. The Singapore embassy in Jakarta confirmed its staff were on-site to assist with repatriation of the surviving hikers, who were expected to return home the same day.
Mount Dukono has remained at alert level two since 2008, and a four-kilometer exclusion zone has been enforced since December 2024, according to Geology Agency head Lana Saria. Police confirmed the hikers had bypassed official warnings and trail signs. The search operation is now officially closed.