Three hikers tragically lost their lives following the eruption of Mount Dukono in Indonesia on Friday, 8 May 2026. Local authorities confirmed the fatalities, marking a harrowing day for both the victims’ families and the mountaineering community.
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The eruption of the volcano, located on the island of Halmahera, occurred around 7:41 AM local time, as reported by the North Halmahera police chief, Erlichson Pasaribu. The resulting catastrophe led to the immediate search for the missing hikers, where search and rescue teams faced challenging conditions, including heavy rainfall and steep terrain.
The body of Indonesian national Angel Pradita, aged 28, was recovered on the following day by Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (SAR). Subsequently, on Sunday, 10 May, the remains of two Singaporean nationals, 30-year-old Heng Wen Qiang Timothy and 27-year-old Shahin Muhrez Bin Abdul Hamid, were also located. Their bodies were found in a precarious position, trapped under a large rock roughly 65 feet north of the volcano’s crater rim.
Iwan Ramdani, head of the Ternate SAR Office, indicated that the difficult recovery operations involved not only the SAR teams but also local residents who generously assisted in the search efforts. The bodies were later transported to Jailolo Regional Hospital and Tobelo Regional Hospital where autopsies were conducted.
The group of hikers involved in this tragic incident consisted of 20 individuals at the time of the eruption. After the volcanic explosion, the remaining 17 climbers managed to return safely to base camp and subsequently alerted authorities about their missing companions. Reports indicate that these climbers also sustained injuries, with 15 of them requiring medical attention.
It has emerged that the hiking group attempted to ascend Mount Dukono despite an existing temporary climbing ban, which raises significant questions regarding safety protocols in place. An official response to the eruption came swiftly, with the North Halmahera Regency Government announcing a permanent ban on all climbing activities on Mount Dukono to mitigate further risks to public safety.
The shocking loss of life on the slopes of Mount Dukono has left local residents reeling. This incident marks the first fatalities from volcanic activity in the area, sparking collective grief and concern within the community. Local resident Sababil Pasaraja, who participated in the rescue efforts, expressed his dismay, highlighting the rarity of such tragedies in the area. “This time we had three dying in one single eruption. This comes as a huge shock for us locals,” he stated.
As the investigation into the circumstances surrounding this disaster continues, questions regarding the decision-making processes of climbers and local authorities are likely to arise. The Indonesian authorities have been urged to reevaluate climbing regulations, especially in volcanic regions, to prevent any recurrence of such tragic events.
In the aftermath of the incident, the focus shifts towards ensuring the safety of potential climbers while also offering support to the families who have suffered devastating losses. The National Search and Rescue Agency and Ternate SAR Office have not issued any further comments at this time. The heartfelt condolences shared by the mountaineering community and local government reflect wider sentiments of mourning and solidarity in the face of this tragedy.