The recent eruption of Mount Dukono in North Maluku Province, Indonesia, on the morning of 8 May 2026, led to a tragic outcome for a group of hikers. This catastrophic event unfolded as a party of 20 trekkers was ascending the volcano when it erupted with overwhelming power. The Malupang Warirang Crater, the active vent at the summit of Mount Dukono, violently expelled an ash plume that reached approximately 10 kilometres into the sky, accompanied by a booming noise that resonated across the landscape.

As thick clouds of ash and smoke spread northward toward the city of Tobelo, the hikers found themselves caught off guard. The eruption struck suddenly, leaving them little to no time to react, resulting in dire consequences.

Casualties and Rescue Efforts

Among the 20 hikers on Mount Dukono were nine nationals from Singapore and 11 Indonesians. Tragically, three individuals have been confirmed deceased as a result of the eruption. The victims included two Singaporean nationals and one Indonesian from Ternate. As of now, the bodies of these individuals remain on the mountain due to ongoing hazardous conditions that prevent recovery teams from safely retrieving them.

Reports indicate that search operations have successfully rescued between 15 and 17 hikers, many of whom sustained minor injuries during the incident. However, at least two individuals are still unaccounted for, prompting ongoing search efforts. Rescue teams, comprised of police and emergency services, have been facing considerable challenges due to the difficult terrain and have periodically paused operations in light of additional volcanic activity that raises safety concerns.

Warnings and Precautions Ignored

The situation raises important questions regarding the hikers’ presence on Mount Dukono, particularly in light of the active alert status of the volcano. Since December 2025, the volcano had been at Alert Level 2, with Level 4 indicating the highest state of emergency. Following an increase in seismic activity characterised by underground tremors, the authorities officially prohibited visitors from entering the region on 17 April 2026. Warning signs were installed, and a four-kilometre exclusion zone around the crater was enforced.

While local residents adhered to the warnings, some foreign tourists allegedly chose to ignore these restrictions, reportedly venturing into the area for social media opportunities. The guide and porter responsible for leading the group into the restricted zone have since been detained and may potentially face criminal charges.

Geological Context of Volcanic Activity

Indonesia is notably positioned on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a vast horseshoe-shaped area surrounding the Pacific Ocean, where tectonic plates frequently interact, leading to frequent seismic activity including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The country is home to nearly 130 active volcanoes, making it one of the most volcanically active nations globally.

On the same day as the Mount Dukono eruption, Japan’s Sakurajima volcano also erupted, producing an ash plume that reached heights of 3,500 metres and ejecting volcanic rocks over a distance of 1,300 metres from the summit. This occurrence underscores the ongoing geological volatility that characterises the region.

The situation remains dynamic, and authorities continue to monitor volcanic activity closely while search and recovery operations are underway to locate the missing hikers and bring relief to those affected by this tragic event.

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