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On Friday, an eruption of Mount Dukono on a secluded Indonesian island resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to five others, according to local authorities. The hikers had ventured into a restricted area at the time of the eruption.
Despite clear safety warnings, roughly 20 adventurers embarked on a journey Thursday to scale the 1,355-meter (4,445-foot) volcano situated in Halmahera, Indonesia. North Halmahera Police Chief Erlichson Pasaribu noted that the climbers proceeded despite the known restrictions.
“They were fully aware that the area was off-limits due to the mountain’s high alert status, yet they chose to continue their climb,” stated Pasaribu.
Pasaribu further explained that, in spite of social media alerts and posted warnings at the location, “many individuals are still driven by the allure of creating online content, which compels them to disregard safety precautions.”
A photograph released by Badan Geologi, part of Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, captures Mount Dukono spewing volcanic materials during the eruption in North Halmahera, Indonesia, on Friday, May 8, 2026. (Courtesy of Badan Geologi via AP)
Pasaribu said three people, including one local resident and two Singaporeans, were killed in the eruption. The Indonesian victim was from Ternate, which is in the same province as Mount Dukono.
The three victims’ bodies remain on the volcano, with ongoing eruptions and difficult terrain preventing them from being evacuated by rescue teams, Pasaribu said.
The group became stranded when the volcano erupted at 7:41 a.m., sending a column of ash over 6 miles into the sky.
Rescue teams were deployed after receiving an emergency signal from the mountain area.
Joint search and rescue (SAR) teams prepare to evacuate victims affected by the eruption of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera, Maluku Province, Indonesia, on May 08, 2026. At least three Singaporeans have been killed, while 17 others are still being searched for. (Basarnas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
As of Friday afternoon, 17 climbers had been safely evacuated, including seven Singaporean nationals and two Indonesians who joined the rescue operation and provided information on the climbing routes of the victims before the eruption, National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said.
Five of those evacuated were reported injured.
Joint search and rescue (SAR) teams prepare to evacuate victims affected by the eruption of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera, Maluku Province, Indonesia, on May 08, 2026. At least three Singaporeans have been killed, while 17 others are still being searched for. (Photo by Basarnas/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Basarnas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Pasaribu said police will question those who joined the hikers up the mountain. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Indonesian National Police for additional information.
According to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program, Mount Dukono has been continuously erupting since 1933.
“Friday’s eruption was among the strongest during this period,” said Lana Saria, who heads Indonesia’s Geology Agency at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.
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