Seven Singaporean hikers returned home on May 9 after being evacuated from the Mount Dukono volcano in Indonesia [6].

The return of the survivors marks a critical juncture in the disaster response, as Indonesian authorities continue to search for other missing climbers amidst hazardous volcanic activity.

The group was evacuated on May 8, 2026 [1], following an eruption on Halmahera Island. A total of 17 hikers were evacuated during the operation [2]. The survivors arrived back in Singapore via Changi Airport on Saturday.

While seven Singaporeans have returned, the situation for others remains precarious. Reports on the number of missing persons vary. An initial report on May 8 stated that three hikers were missing [5], while a subsequent report on May 10 specified that two Singaporean hikers remain missing [4]. Search efforts have been hampered by ongoing eruptions and rain [4].

The human cost of the eruption is still being determined. Some reports indicate that three hikers were killed [3], while other accounts suggest the bodies of two Singaporean hikers were recovered.

Local authorities in Indonesia are managing the evacuation and recovery efforts on the island. The survivors' return to Singapore allows the focus to shift toward the remaining missing persons, though weather and volcanic instability continue to complicate the rescue mission.

“Seven Singaporean hikers returned home on May 9 after being evacuated from the Mount Dukono volcano”

The discrepancy in casualty and missing person counts highlights the chaos inherent in volcanic disaster zones, where communication is often severed. The fact that search efforts are being hampered by rain and further eruptions suggests a narrowing window for rescue operations, shifting the focus from evacuation to recovery.