Get you up to speed: Indonesia’s Mount Dukono erupts, killing three hikers amid warnings
Mount Dukono in North Maluku Island erupted at 07.41am local time, killing three hikers, two of whom were foreigners. Local police confirmed that the group had set off on an expedition despite a climbing ban.
Mount Dukono in North Maluku Island, which is listed at Level Two on the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia’s hazard assessment, erupted this morning, leading to the deaths of three hikers, including two Singaporeans. According to local police, all 20 hikers who went missing after the eruption have been located, and investigations into possible negligence by tourism operators are underway.
Rescue teams have located all survivors from the group of 20 hikers but continue to treat 15 individuals in hospital for injuries related to the eruption of Mount Dukono. Authorities plan to question those who accompanied the hikers concerning claims of ‘possible negligence by tourism operators or individuals’.
Three hikers dead after volcano erupts in Indonesia | News World
A volcano in Indonesia has erupted this morning, killing three hikers.
Mount Dukono on North Maluku Island erupted at 07.41am on Friday local time (10.41pm Thursday GMT), sending ash billowing 10km into the sky.
Local police confirmed two foreigners and one local died attempting to reach the summit.
Meanwhile, rescue teams dispatched to the scene have now located all of the survivors from a group of 20 hikers – including nine foreigners – who went missing following the eruption.
Some 15 people are being treated in hospital for injuries related to the incident, a police chief said, adding that those who had accompanied the hikers up the mountain are to be questioned relating to claims of ‘possible negligence by tourism operators or individuals’.
Search and rescue teams at Mount Dukono following the evacuation (Picture: Basarnas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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The identities of the deceased hikers – both Singaporean – are currently unknown.
According to officials, the group had set off on an expedition up the volcano despite a climbing ban.
The volcano is one of Indonesia’s most active, with ‘almost continuous eruptive activity’ – listed at Level Two on the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia’s four-tier system – and both visitors and locals are advised to give the crater a four-kilometer berth.
Smoke from the eruption billowed 10km into the air (Picture: Jhon Frengki Manipa via REUTERS)
But despite the warnings, it remains a popular destination among tourists and hikers.
A member of the Indonesian Association of Disaster Experts, Dr Mudrik Daryono, warned would-be visitors against attempting to scale it.
‘The public only sees those who successfully descend and post dramatic content, while potential threats that did not occur at the time become invisible,’ he said.
‘The real danger remains and could emerge at any time.’
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