Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan thanked Indonesia on Tuesday, May 12, 2024, for search and rescue efforts following a volcanic eruption at Mount Dukono [1].
The diplomatic gesture underscores the cooperation between the two neighbors during a crisis that resulted in the deaths of Singaporean nationals in a remote region of Central Sulawesi [1, 2].
The eruption occurred at 7:41 a.m. local time on May 12, 2024 [4]. The volcano produced an ash column that reached 10 kilometers in height [4]. Following the event, more than 150 Indonesian search and rescue personnel were deployed to locate missing hikers [1].
Reports regarding the casualties vary across sources. Two Singaporean hikers were confirmed dead [2]. Other reports indicate that the bodies of three hikers in total were recovered from the site [3].
Balakrishnan said the statement while in Jakarta during a three-day visit to Indonesia [1]. He noted the risks taken by the rescuers to recover the victims from the volcanic terrain [1, 2].
"This kind of instinctive looking out for one another … truly reflects the closeness of hearts between Indonesians and Singaporeans," Balakrishnan said [1].
The Singaporean embassy has worked with Indonesian authorities to identify the recovered bodies [3]. The recovery operation involved navigating the hazardous conditions left by the eruption in Central Sulawesi [1, 3].
“More than 150 Indonesian search and rescue personnel were deployed to locate missing hikers.”
The incident highlights the inherent risks of tourism in Indonesia's volcanic regions and the critical role of bilateral cooperation in disaster response. By publicly praising the rescue efforts, Singapore is reinforcing its diplomatic ties with Jakarta, transforming a tragedy into a testament of regional solidarity and mutual support.
