Three hikers, including two foreigners, were killed after a volcano on Indonesia’s eastern Halmahera island erupted on Friday, spewing an ash cloud into the air.
The group of about 20 hikers who climbed Mount Dukono ignored social media appeals and warning signs posted at the entrance to the trail to stay away, police chief Erlichson Pasarib said.
‘Residents understand and don’t want to climb. Many [hikers] are foreign tourists who wish to create [social media] content,’ he added.
They became stranded when Dukono erupted at 7.41am local time, spewing a thick ash column that rose about 6.2 miles above the summit.
The eruption was recorded on seismographs for more than 16 minutes, Indonesia’s Geological Agency said.
Three men – two Singaporean and one Indonesian national – died at the scene, Pasaribu said.
As of Friday afternoon, 14 climbers, including seven foreign nationals, had been safely evacuated.
Five of those evacuated were reported injured.
Three hikers were killed and 10 were missing after a volcano on Indonesia’s eastern Halmahera island erupted on Friday
People watch as smoke rises after the eruption of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku, Indonesia, May 8, 2026
A handout photo made available by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows rescuers assisting hikers as they are evacuated following the eruption of Mouth Dukono in North Halmahera, Indonesia, 08 May 2026
Rescue teams continued to search for other climbers believed to be attempting to descend.
The bodies had not yet been recovered because continued eruptions and dangerous conditions prevented rescue teams from reaching the location.
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has long banned activities within a 2.5-mile radius of Dukono’s crater, citing hazards such as volcanic bombs, ashfall and toxic gases.
Officials believe the hikers were inside the restricted zone at the time of the eruption.
Lana Saria, head of the government Geology Agency, said the early-morning eruption was accompanied by a ‘booming sound’ and a thick smoke column rising some 6 miles from the summit of Mount Dukono.
‘The direction of the ash distribution leans northward, so residential areas and Tobelo City need to be vigilant for… volcanic ash rain,’ she said in a statement.
The smoke could be dangerous for public health, Lana added, and risked disrupting transportation services.
Footage shared on social media showed a huge ash cloud billowing into the sky, as locals looked on.
Rescuers carry their equipment during a search and rescue operation following the eruption of Mouth Dukono in North Halmahera, Indonesia, 08 May 2026
Authorities are discussing a ‘possible negligence by tourism operators or individuals’ who proceeded with climbing the volcano despite an official closure of the hiking area, according to a statement from Barsanas, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency.
‘The government is continuing to gather information to establish a complete account of the incident,’ the statement said.
It added that Indonesia’s tourism ministry has issued a letter closing the Mount Dukono hiking area out of safety concerns for visitors and local communities.
Meanwhile, those who accompanied the hikers up the mountain will be questioned by police, Erlichson said.
Authorities have also warned of possible secondary hazards, including volcanic mudflows, especially during heavy rain, which could travel along rivers flowing from the volcano’s slopes.
Saria added that ash clouds ranging from white to grey and black in colour were being blown northward.
She warned that ashfall could affect nearby settlements, including the town of Tobelo, raising health risks and disrupting transportation and daily life.
Officials urged residents, tourists and climbers to remain calm, follow official guidance and avoid restricted areas as monitoring of Mount Dukono continues.
The hikers had ignored social media appeals and warning signs put up at the entrance to the trail to stay away
Footage shared on social media showed a huge ash cloud billowing into the sky
Joint search and rescue (SAR) teams prepare to evacuate victims affected by the eruption of Mount Dukono
Rescuers assist hikers as they are evacuated following the eruption of Mouth Dukono in North Halmahera, Indonesia, 08 May 2026
Indonesia, a vast archipelago nation, experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’ where tectonic plates collide.
Volcanic activity at Dukono remains high, and authorities said it was at the second-highest alert level.
Authorities said the volcano has shown an increase in explosive magmatic eruptions since late March, with nearly 200 eruptions recorded since March 30 and an average of about 95 eruptions a day.
Despite warnings, Mount Dukono has continued to attract hikers.
This is a breaking story, more to follow.
