Indonesia’s Mount Dukono erupted on Friday, May 8, 2026, killing three people and injuring five others – all part of a group of 20 hikers who knowingly entered a restricted zone on the island of Halmahera to create social media content.
The victims were identified as two Singaporean nationals, aged 30 and 27, and an Indonesian woman from Ternate. Their bodies were recovered from the mountain on May 9 and 10, after ongoing eruptions and tough terrain had repeatedly slowed rescue operations. A total of 100 rescuers, military and police personnel, and two thermal drones were deployed to locate the missing hikers.
North Halmahera Police Chief Erlichson Pasaribu confirmed the group was fully aware the climb was illegal. “They were aware that climbing was prohibited as the mountain is a restricted zone due to its high alert status, but insisted on going ahead,” he said. Of the 20 hikers, nine were Singaporean nationals and the rest Indonesian. 17 were safely evacuated, five of them with injuries.
The volcano had been closed to the public since April 17, following a sharp increase in explosive magmatic eruptions since March. Since December 2024, Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation had warned all visitors not to come within 4 kilometres of the Malupang Warirang Crater. Warning signs were posted at trail entrances. Appeals were broadcast on social media. Local residents heeded all of them.
“Local residents understand and don’t want to climb,” Pasaribu said. “Many are foreign tourists who wish to create social media content.”
The eruption sent a column of ash 10 kilometres into the sky, accompanied by a “booming sound” heard across the region. Authorities warned nearby Tobelo City to prepare for volcanic ash rain. Mount Dukono remains on Level 2 of Indonesia’s four-tiered alert system, and all hiking is now strictly prohibited until further notice.
“After this incident, we will be strictly monitoring all entry points,” Pasaribu said. “No hiking as long as the status remains at Level 2.”