One Dead, Two Missing After Mount Dukono Eruption in Indonesia

Indonesian authorities recovered the body of a female hiker on Saturday, May 9, 2026, following an eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island, while search teams continue efforts to locate two missing Singaporean climbers. The 20-member group had entered the restricted zone despite a standing ban, and became stranded after the volcano erupted early Friday, sending an ash column 10 km into the air.

Seventeen climbers were evacuated hours after the eruption, including seven Singaporeans and two Indonesians who later assisted rescue teams; ten suffered minor burn injuries. The victim, identified as local hiker Enjel, was found about 50 meters from the crater rim, according to Iwan Ramdani, head of the local Search and Rescue Office.

Rescue operations involving over 100 personnel and drones resumed early Saturday, focusing on a 700-square-meter area with prior search clues, but are repeatedly halted by ongoing eruptions. Dukono remains at the second-highest alert level, with a four-kilometer exclusion zone enforced since December 2024 and all hiking routes officially closed in April 2026.

The National Disaster Management Agency reiterated that entering restricted volcanic zones carries legal consequences and urged compliance with safety protocols across Indonesia’s dozens of active volcanoes. The agency continues to monitor conditions, with rescuers awaiting safe windows to advance closer to the crater.

The court will resume hearing on Tuesday.