Mount Dukono Eruption in Indonesia Kills Three Hikers
A sudden eruption of Mount Dukono in Indonesia on May 8, 2026, killed three hikers and left several others missing or injured. The victims included two Singaporeans and one Indonesian national who had entered a restricted zone despite official bans due to heightened volcanic activity. Rescue teams recovered bodies amidst hazardous ash plumes and difficult terrain. Authorities are investigating potential negligence by tour operators and have permanently closed access to the volcano. The incident highlights severe safety risks associated with volcanic tourism in the region.
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Indonesian Guide Apologizes for Deaths of Singaporean Hikers in Mount Dukono Eruption
Reza Selang, an Indonesian tour guide, has expressed deep remorse and apologized to the families of three hikers killed during a sudden eruption of Mount Dukono on May 8. The victims included two Singaporeans, Shahin Muhrez Abdul Hamid and Heng Wen Qiang Timothy, and one Indonesian, Angel Krishela Pradita. Selang admitted he was unaware that climbing permits had been suspended since April due to heightened volcanic activity, a ban also unknown to his local assistants. During the incident, Selang used a drone to monitor the group before the volcano erupted. He recounted how Heng tragically died while attempting to rescue Shahin from falling rocks. Following the disaster, Selang assisted in search-and-rescue operations and has provided drone footage to investigators. Indonesian authorities are currently investigating potential negligence by tourism operators and have permanently closed access to the mountain. Selang stated he is prepared to face legal consequences and wishes to travel to Singapore to personally kneel and apologize to the victims' parents, expressing profound guilt over the tragedy.
Mothership.SG - News from Singapore, Asia and around the worldIndonesian Guide Recounts Deadly Mount Dukono Eruption That Killed Three Hikers
An Indonesian tour guide, Reza Selang, has provided a harrowing account of the Mount Dukono eruption in North Maluku that resulted in the deaths of three hikers. The incident occurred on Friday when the volcano suddenly erupted while a group of twenty climbers, comprising Singaporeans and Indonesians, were near the summit. Despite official bans on climbing permits and a 4km exclusion zone enforced since mid-April due to over 200 recent eruptions, the group proceeded with the ascent. Selang described witnessing two rapid eruptions; the second ejected large rocks that crushed two Singaporean hikers, Timothy Heng and Shahin Muhrez bin Abdul Hamid, who had attempted to rescue an injured companion. A third victim, Indonesian hiker Angel Krishela Pradita, was also found dead. Survivors were evacuated and treated for injuries. Authorities have since permanently closed all entrances to the volcano. The guide claimed he was unaware of the prohibitions, as local assistants did not inform him, highlighting potential communication gaps despite visible warnings posted by officials at trail entrances and on social media platforms.
BBC NewsBodies of Two Singaporean Hikers Found After Mount Dukono Eruption in Indonesia
The bodies of two Singaporean hikers, Heng Wen Qiang Timothy and Shahin Muhrez bin Abdul Hamid, were discovered holding each other under rock debris following the eruption of Mount Dukono on Indonesia’s Halmahera island. The tragic discovery concluded a difficult day-long search operation involving 150 personnel, which was hampered by steep terrain, persistent rainfall, and ongoing volcanic activity. In total, three people died in the incident, including an Indonesian woman named Enjel. Authorities reported that approximately 20 hikers had ignored warning signs and social media appeals to stay away from the closed trail; seventeen others survived. The eruption sent ash plumes up to 10 kilometers high, prompting Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency to investigate potential negligence by tourism operators or individuals. The government has maintained a high alert level and banned activities within a four-kilometer radius of the crater. Surviving Singaporeans are scheduled to return home, while authorities continue to gather information regarding the incident and consider legal actions against those who proceeded with the climb despite official closures.
New York PostSingaporean Hiker Dies in Mount Dukono Eruption; Remembered as Devoted Family Man
Shahin Muhrez Abdul Hamid, a 27-year-old Singaporean hiker, died following the eruption of Mount Dukono in North Maluku, Indonesia, on May 8. He was among two Singaporeans and one Indonesian national killed in the incident. Shahin, a technician at ExxonMobil, is remembered by his mother as the light of their family and by his wife, Nurina Iffah Jusmadi, as a loving husband. The couple had been married for only six months and were preparing to move into a new flat in Sengkang. Shahin was an avid hiker who had recently climbed Mount Kinabalu. The second Singaporean victim, 30-year-old Heng Wen Qiang Timothy, reportedly died while attempting to help a friend during the eruption. Indonesian authorities recovered two bodies believed to be the missing Singaporeans on May 10. The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assisting the families with identification and repatriation, expressing gratitude to Indonesian search-and-rescue teams for their efforts under hazardous conditions.
Mothership.SG - News from Singapore, Asia and around the worldVolcano Eruption in Indonesia Kills 3 Climbers, Leaves 2 Missing
A sudden eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island in eastern Indonesia resulted in the deaths of three mountaineers and left two others missing, according to local authorities. The incident occurred on Friday, May 8, 2026, while twenty climbers were on the volcano's slopes. Among the deceased were two Singaporean citizens and one Indonesian resident from Ternate. Rescue operations have been significantly hampered by ongoing eruptions and difficult terrain, forcing teams to wait for safer conditions to recover bodies and search for the missing individuals. Authorities revealed that the climbing group had entered a closed area despite bans implemented last month due to increased volcanic activity. Consequently, the group's guide and an assistant face potential criminal charges for leading climbers into the restricted zone. The eruption produced a smoke column reaching ten kilometers high. This tragedy highlights the risks associated with Indonesia's active volcanoes, situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where access warnings are frequently issued but sometimes ignored by tourists.
Folha de S.Paulo - Em cima da hora - PrincipalThree Hikers Die After Indonesia's Mount Dukono Erupts
Three hikers, including two foreigners and one local resident, have died following the eruption of Mount Dukono in Indonesia on Friday. The active volcano, located on Halmahera island east of Sulawesi, erupted at 07:41 local time, sending ash plumes approximately 10 kilometers into the sky. Rescue teams successfully located all survivors from a group of 20 hikers who went missing during the incident. Most survivors have been evacuated and are receiving hospital treatment, while two porters remained on the mountain to assist in recovering the bodies of the deceased. Officials revealed that the group, which included nine Singaporeans, had been hiking up the volcano despite an existing ban on climbing activities in the area. The Volcanological Survey of Indonesia confirmed the eruption details. This tragic event highlights the dangers associated with ignoring safety regulations near active volcanic sites. The incident has drawn international attention due to the involvement of foreign nationals and the severe consequences of violating climbing restrictions in hazardous geological zones.
BBC NewsIndonesia Volcano Eruption Kills Three Hikers on Mount Dukono
A sudden and violent eruption of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera, Indonesia, has resulted in the deaths of three hikers, including two foreign nationals. The volcanic event, which occurred on May 8, 2026, propelled a massive ash column approximately 10 kilometers into the atmosphere, posing significant risks to those in the vicinity. In addition to the confirmed fatalities, ten individuals remain missing, raising concerns about further casualties. Official reports indicate that rescue teams are actively searching for and assisting around 20 people who were affected by the eruption near the volcano site. The incident highlights the ongoing dangers associated with hiking in active volcanic zones in the region. Authorities have mobilized emergency response units to locate the missing persons and provide aid to those impacted by the ash fall and potential pyroclastic flows. This tragic event underscores the unpredictable nature of Mount Dukono, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, and serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent safety measures and monitoring in such geologically volatile areas.
News | Euronews RSSIndonesia Volcano Eruption Kills 3 Hikers, Leaves Several Missing
A sudden eruption of Mount Dukono in eastern Indonesia on Friday resulted in the deaths of three hikers and left twenty others missing. The volcano, located on Halmahera island in North Maluku province, spewed ash up to 10 kilometers into the air at 07:41 a.m. local time. Among the deceased are two foreigners and one resident from Ternate island. Nine of the missing individuals are reported to be from Singapore. Despite the area being officially off-limits to visitors since April 17 due to increased volcanic activity, the group was caught in the blast. Dozens of rescue personnel have been deployed to search for the trapped hikers. Indonesia’s Geological Agency has maintained the alert status at the third-highest level of its four-tiered system. Authorities warned that ash distribution is leaning northward, urging residents in Tobelo City to remain vigilant against volcanic ash rain. People were also advised to stay at least 4 kilometers away from the crater. This incident highlights the ongoing dangers posed by Indonesia's position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone characterized by intense seismic and volcanic activity.
Deutsche WelleIndonesia Volcano Eruption Kills Three, 20 Hikers Missing
Indonesian authorities have launched a search operation for 20 missing hikers following the eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera island, which resulted in three fatalities. The volcano erupted on the morning of May 8, 2026, sending a column of ash up to 10 kilometers into the sky and producing loud booming sounds. Among the deceased were two foreigners, while nine of the missing individuals are reported to be from Singapore. Rescue teams, including police personnel, are currently deployed to locate those trapped by the sudden volcanic activity. Notably, the area had been closed to visitors since April 17 due to increased volcanic unrest, yet hikers still accessed the restricted zone. Officials have warned residents and tourists to maintain a safe distance of at least 4 kilometers from the Malupang Warirang crater. Additionally, warnings regarding volcanic ash rain have been issued for nearby Tobelo town, along with alerts about potential lava flows and ejected rocks. Mount Dukono remains highly active, with nearly 200 eruptions recorded since March, highlighting the ongoing geological hazards in the region.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al JazeeraThree Hikers Dead, 10 Missing After Mount Dukono Eruption in Indonesia
An early morning eruption of Mount Dukono on Indonesia’s Halmahera island has resulted in the deaths of three hikers and left ten others missing. Authorities confirmed that two of the deceased were foreigners, while the third was a resident of Ternate. The volcanic event spewed an ash cloud approximately 10 kilometers into the air, accompanied by booming sounds and thick smoke. Five additional climbers were reported injured. Despite the area being declared off-limits since December due to increased volcanic activity, several hikers ignored warning signs and social media appeals, reportedly seeking to create content. Rescue operations are currently underway but are hindered by rough terrain and ongoing volcanic rumbling, requiring victims to be carried on stretchers for parts of the evacuation. The national disaster management agency and search and rescue teams are conducting sweeps in the affected zone. Geologists have warned nearby residential areas, including Tobelo city, to remain vigilant against volcanic ash rain, which poses public health risks and may disrupt transportation. Mount Dukono remains at level two on Indonesia’s four-tiered alert system.
The GuardianThree Hikers Dead, Several Missing After Mount Dukono Erupts in Indonesia
Indonesian authorities have confirmed the deaths of three hikers following the eruption of Mount Dukono on Friday morning. The volcanic event has triggered an urgent emergency response, with rescue teams currently deployed to the affected area to locate and evacuate climbers who were on the mountain at the time of the eruption. In addition to the confirmed fatalities, several other individuals are reported missing, raising concerns about the potential for further casualties as search and rescue operations continue. Mount Dukono, located in the North Maluku province, is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire. The eruption has disrupted local activities and prompted warnings for residents and tourists to maintain a safe distance from the crater. This incident highlights the ongoing risks associated with hiking near active volcanic sites in the archipelago nation, which is home to numerous active volcanoes. Authorities are coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of all involved parties while assessing the extent of the volcanic activity and its immediate impact on the surrounding environment and communities.
NYT > World NewsIndonesian Rescuers Search for Missing Hikers After Mount Dukono Eruption
Indonesian rescue teams are urgently searching for missing hikers following the eruption of Mount Dukono in Indonesia on Friday, May 8, 2026. The volcanic event has resulted in three confirmed deaths and left several individuals trapped or missing amidst ash plumes sent into the sky. Among those reported missing are nine Singaporean nationals, highlighting the international impact of the disaster. A local police chief confirmed that two of the deceased victims were foreigners, although their specific nationalities have not yet been officially verified. Emergency responders are racing against time to reach those stranded on the mountain as conditions remain hazardous due to ongoing volcanic activity. The incident underscores the risks associated with hiking near active volcanoes in the region. Authorities are coordinating efforts to locate the missing persons while managing the immediate aftermath of the eruption. This developing situation continues to draw attention from regional media and concerned families, particularly in Singapore, as search and rescue operations proceed in challenging environments created by the volcanic ash and debris.
Latest NewsThree Hikers Die, Ten Missing After Indonesia's Dukono Volcano Erupts
A sudden eruption of the Dukono volcano on the Indonesian island of Halmahera has resulted in the deaths of three hikers and left ten others missing, according to local authorities. The incident occurred on Friday, May 8, 2026, when the volcano expelled a significant cloud of ash into the atmosphere. Erlichson Pasaribu, the police chief of North Halmahera province, confirmed the casualties, identifying the deceased as two foreigners and one resident from the nearby island of Ternate. The tragedy highlights severe safety concerns, as the area where the hikers were located had been officially declared restricted to visitors just last month due to heightened volcanic activity. Despite these warnings, individuals entered the danger zone, leading to the current crisis. Emergency response teams and authorities are currently conducting search and rescue operations to locate the ten unaccounted-for individuals amidst the hazardous conditions. The Dukono volcano, known for its frequent explosive activity, continues to pose a significant threat to the region. This event underscores the ongoing risks associated with volcanic tourism in Indonesia, an archipelago situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where strict access controls are often implemented to protect public safety during periods of geological unrest.
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