Three hikers, including two Singaporeans, have died after climbing the restricted Mount Dukono in Indonesia, prompting authorities to address the dangers of reckless tourism.
Three individuals lost their lives and five others sustained injuries on Friday when Mount Dukono erupted on a remote Indonesian island. The hikers were in a restricted area, despite warnings from authorities.
Approximately 20 climbers embarked on their ascent of the nearly 1,355-meter (4,445-foot) volcano located in Halmahera, Indonesia, on Thursday, according to North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu. “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,” Pasaribu stated.
Despite clear warnings on social media and signage at the site, many climbers remain undeterred, driven by the desire to create online content, Pasaribu added. “Many people remain determined to climb, driven by the desire to create online content,” he said.
The victims included one local resident and two Singaporeans, all of whom were killed in the eruption. The Indonesian victim hailed from Ternate, the same province as Mount Dukono. Their bodies remain on the volcano, as ongoing eruptions and difficult terrain have hindered rescue teams from retrieving them.
The group became stranded when the volcano erupted at 7:41 a.m. local time, sending a plume of ash soaring over six miles into the sky. Rescue teams were deployed after receiving an emergency signal from the mountain area.
As of Friday afternoon, 17 climbers had been safely evacuated, including seven Singaporean nationals and two Indonesians who had joined the rescue operation. These local climbers provided critical information about the routes taken by the victims before the eruption, according to National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari. Five of those evacuated were reported injured.
Pasaribu indicated that police would question individuals who had accompanied the hikers up the mountain. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Indonesian National Police for further details.
Mount Dukono has been continuously erupting since 1933, according to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program. “Friday’s eruption was among the strongest during this period,” noted Lana Saria, who heads Indonesia’s Geology Agency at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing tourism in areas with active volcanoes and the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations.
According to The Associated Press, the situation remains fluid as authorities continue to assess the aftermath of the eruption and the safety of climbers in the region.