Two Singaporean hikers died after being struck by falling rocks during the eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island [1].
The deaths highlight the extreme risks associated with trekking active volcanoes in Indonesia, where unpredictable eruptions can turn fatal in seconds.
The eruption began on Friday morning, May 8, 2024 [2]. Rescue teams spent three days searching for the missing hikers amid hazardous conditions [4]. Iwan Ramdani, head of the local rescue agency, said the operation was difficult because of continuous eruptions and bad weather [3].
Rescuers recovered the bodies from the crater rim on Sunday, May 10, 2024 [2]. Ramdani said the team was able to retrieve the victims during a "golden moment between eruptions" [2]. He said, "They were struck by falling rocks" [1].
While reports from Channel News Asia focused on the two Singaporeans [1], other reports indicate a total of three hikers died in the event [2]. The volcanic activity was severe, with an ash plume reaching a height of 10 km [2].
The recovery operation required coordination between local agencies and search teams on the island in North Maluku province. The combination of heavy rain and volcanic ash created unstable terrain, which delayed the recovery of the bodies for several days [2, 3].
“They were struck by falling rocks.”
This incident underscores the volatility of Mount Dukono, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. The delay in recovery and the cause of death suggest that even experienced hikers are vulnerable to sudden pyroclastic events and rockfalls, emphasizing the need for stricter exclusion zones during periods of heightened seismic activity.
