Three hikers lost their lives after ignoring safety advisories to document their journey on a volcanic mountain. Approximately 20 climbers embarked on an expedition to scale the 1,355-meter Mount Dukono against safety directives, according to North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu.
Despite cautions on social media and warnings at the location, many individuals persisted in climbing with the aim of creating online content, Pasaribu explained. Tragically, the volcano erupted, resulting in the fatalities of three hikers who became stranded during the eruption at 7:41 a.m. local time, ejecting a dense ash column nearly 10 kilometers above the summit.
Pasaribu noted that the hikers were fully aware of the climbing prohibition due to the mountain’s restricted status and high alert level but chose to proceed anyway. Following an emergency signal from the mountain area, rescue teams were dispatched. Unfortunately, two Singaporean and one Indonesian hiker succumbed at the scene.
Mount Dukono, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, has been in a state of near-continuous eruption since 1933. The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has enforced a ban on activities within a 2.5-mile radius of Dukono’s crater due to risks such as volcanic projectiles, ashfall, and hazardous gases. It is believed that the hikers were within the restricted zone at the time of the eruption.
By Friday afternoon, 14 climbers, including seven foreigners, had been safely rescued, with five reported as injured. Authorities are investigating potential negligence by tour operators or individuals who proceeded with the climb despite the official closure of the hiking area, as per Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency statement.
The bodies of the deceased hikers remain unrecovered due to ongoing eruptions rendering the area too hazardous for rescue operations. Rescue teams are actively searching for other climbers who may still be on the mountain attempting to descend.
Indonesia, situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a region known for intense seismic and volcanic events, boasts over 120 active volcanoes. Officials have cautioned about secondary perils, like volcanic mudflows, especially during heavy rainfall, which could flow downstream from the volcano’s slopes.
Volcanic activity at Dukono remains elevated, with authorities raising the alert level to the second-highest tier. A surge in explosive magmatic eruptions has been observed since late March, with nearly 200 eruptions recorded since March 30, averaging around 95 eruptions daily.
Lana Saria, head of Indonesia’s Geology Agency at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, highlighted that Friday’s eruption was one of the most forceful during this period. She mentioned that ash clouds varying in color from white to black were drifting northward, posing potential risks to nearby settlements like Tobelo.
Residents, tourists, and climbers are urged to stay composed, adhere to official instructions, and steer clear of restricted zones as continuous monitoring of Mount Dukono persists.