INDONESIAN VOLCANO ERUPTION KILLS THREE HIKERS AT MOUNT DUKONO

Three hikers lost their lives following a sudden volcanic eruption at Mount Dukono, located on Halmahera island in the North Maluku province of Indonesia. According to Indonesian authorities, the victims comprised two Singaporean nationals and one Indonesian citizen, while the remaining members of a 20-person trekking group were safely evacuated from the area.

The expedition, organized for a group of Singaporean and Indonesian nationals, proceeded to the volcano's summit despite active warnings issued by regional agencies. Official records indicate that Mount Dukono had experienced more than 200 volcanic events since late March. Consequently, government authorities had suspended climbing permits starting April 17 and established an exclusion zone banning public entry within a 4-kilometer radius of the active crater.

Local tour operator Reza Selang, who accompanied the party alongside regional guides, reported that initial observations on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning showed no visible smoke or abnormal activity at the summit. At 07:40 local time on Friday, two successive eruptions occurred within one minute, launching pyroclastic material and large rock fragments across the summit area.

During the incident, falling debris struck Singaporean tourists Timothy Heng and Shahin Muhrez bin Abdul Hamid, along with Indonesian hiker Angel Krishela Pradita. Emergency search and rescue teams recovered the body of the Indonesian victim near the summit on Saturday, while the remains of the two Singaporean citizens were retrieved on Sunday beneath volcanic ash layers.

North Halmahera Police reported that the climbing expedition is strongly suspected of violating official safety regulations, and investigators are evaluating the potential legal responsibility of the organizers.

Following the event, official authorities announced the permanent closure of all access routes to Mount Dukono, reinforcing warnings that non-compliance with regional restrictions will incur legal sanctions. Representatives from the North Halmahera Police confirmed that investigations remain ongoing regarding potential operational negligence.