Indonesian rescuers recover hiker’s body as search for two missing Singaporeans continues amid Dukono eruptions

Context Mount Dukono, a 1,355‑metre volcano on Halmahera island, erupted early Friday, sending an ash column roughly 10 km into the air. Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) monitors the volcano using seismic sensors, gas detectors, and satellite thermal imaging to quantify activity. Since the eruption, PVMBG reported ash columns reaching 3,000 metres and lava bursts overnight, keeping the alert level at its second‑highest status.

Key Facts - Enjel’s body was located approximately 50 metres from the crater rim, according to local search‑and‑rescue chief Iwan Ramdani. - Seventeen hikers were evacuated; ten of them suffered minor burn injuries. - Rescue teams, numbering over 100 and supported by drones, are searching a 700 square‑metre area for two missing Singaporean climbers while eruptions continue. - Authorities have enforced a 4 km exclusion zone around the crater since December 2024 and banned all hiking routes after the incident.

What It Means The incident highlights the persistent risk posed by Dukono’s ongoing activity, which PVMBG tracks in real time to guide evacuation and rescue decisions. Continued eruptions complicate search efforts, forcing teams to withdraw when activity spikes and return only when conditions are deemed safe. Officials warn that further volcanic bursts could delay the search and that they will monitor seismic trends before declaring the zone secure.

What to watch next Authorities will issue updates on seismic activity and gas emissions from PVMBG, and the search for the two missing Singaporeans will resume only after volcanic alerts are lowered.