Three hikers lost their lives after disobeying safety advisories to film content on a volcano. Approximately 20 climbers embarked on an expedition to scale the nearly 1,355-meter (4,445-foot) Mount Dukono volcano on Halmahera Island, despite warnings and restrictions, as stated by North Halmahera police chief, Erlichson Pasaribu.
Despite explicit cautions on social media and at the location, many individuals were determined to climb in order to generate online material, leading to the tragic outcome following the volcano’s eruption. The hikers were trapped when Dukono erupted at 7:41 am local time, releasing a dense ash column reaching approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) above the peak.
Although fully aware of the prohibition on climbing due to the volcano’s high alert status and restricted zone designation, the hikers insisted on proceeding, as mentioned by Pasaribu during a TV interview. Following an emergency signal from the mountain area, rescue teams were dispatched. Sadly, three men, including two Singaporeans and one Indonesian, perished at the scene.
Mount Dukono, among Indonesia’s most active volcanoes with continuous eruptions dating back to 1933, maintains a ban on activities within a 2.5-mile radius of its crater due to risks such as volcanic projectiles, ashfall, and noxious fumes. It is presumed that the hikers were within the restricted zone at the time of the eruption.
As of Friday afternoon, 14 climbers, including seven foreigners, had been safely evacuated, with five reported injured. Authorities are investigating potential negligence by tour operators or individuals who proceeded with the climb despite the area’s official closure, according to a statement from Barsanas, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency.
Efforts to recover the bodies of the deceased have been hindered by ongoing eruptions, rendering the area too perilous for rescue operations. While search teams continue to look for other climbers who may be descending, the exact location of the third victim remains unknown.
Indonesia, situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a region known for heightened seismic and volcanic activities, boasts over 120 active volcanoes. Authorities have cautioned about additional hazards, including volcanic mudflows, particularly during heavy rainfall, which could flow downstream from the slopes of the volcano.
With the volcanic activity at Dukono remaining intense and at the second-highest alert level, officials reported a surge in explosive magmatic eruptions since late March, averaging around 95 daily eruptions. Lana Saria, who heads Indonesia’s Geology Agency at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, noted that Friday’s eruption was one of the most forceful during this period, resulting in ash clouds moving northward.
Residents, tourists, and climbers are advised to stay composed, adhere to official directives, and avoid restricted zones as monitoring of Mount Dukono persists to ensure safety amidst the ongoing volcanic activity.
