Indonesian search and rescue teams recovered the body of an Indonesian woman on Saturday after an eruption at Mount Dukono [1].

The recovery underscores the extreme danger posed by the volcano's unpredictable activity, which trapped hikers during a sudden escalation of volcanic energy.

The eruption occurred on May 8, 2024, at 7:41 a.m. local time [4]. The event sent a column of volcanic ash 10 km into the air [3], creating hazardous conditions for those on the slopes of the volcano on the remote island of Halmahera [2].

Search teams have focused their efforts on a radius of approximately 700 metres around the crater [5]. At least 100 rescuers have been deployed to the site to locate the remaining missing persons [6].

Two Singaporean hikers remain missing [2]. While some reports suggested three hikers had died [7], official rescue updates indicate that only one body has been recovered so far [1].

Rescuers continue to face difficult terrain and ongoing volcanic activity. The search for the two Singaporeans is still active as teams navigate the ash-covered landscape to find survivors or recover the missing [2].

“One body was recovered after the eruption of Mount Dukono.”

The incident highlights the inherent risks of trekking on active volcanoes in Indonesia, where rapid changes in seismic activity can outpace evacuation efforts. The deployment of a large rescue force to a remote area like Halmahera demonstrates the logistical challenges of disaster response in the archipelago's outer islands.