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Indonesian search and rescue teams have retrieved the remains of two Singaporean hikers killed in Friday's eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera island, officials said Sunday, concluding a three-day operation that exposed the dangers of climbing an active volcano despite explicit warnings.

The two bodies were found buried under thick volcanic material, according to Abdul Muhari, spokesman for Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency. They were discovered not far from where the body of an Indonesian hiker had been found a day earlier, he said in a statement. The search operation has now officially ended, he added.

Coverage Comparison

Coverage of the incident has been consistent across major international outlets, with all reporting three deaths and the volcano's dramatic ash plume. However, accounts differ on the number of missing or injured hikers, reflecting the fluid nature of the rescue effort.

Initial reports, carried by Dawn, The Guardian, and The Hindu, cited local police chief Erlichson Pasaribu as saying three people had died and 10 were missing, with seven climbers having come down safely. Fox News, citing the same police chief, reported three dead and five injured, while noting about 20 climbers had set out despite restrictions.

By Sunday, The Hindu reported that 17 other hikers, including seven Singaporeans, had been brought down safely. The discrepancy likely reflects updates in the rescue operation's progress rather than contradictions in reporting.

Key Claims

  • Three deaths, including two Singaporeans and one Indonesian – This is confirmed across all sources, with police chief Erlichson Pasaribu identifying the victims as two foreigners and one resident of Ternate island.
  • Ash column about 10 kilometers high – The eruption sent a thick smoke column roughly 10 kilometers (6 miles) above the summit, according to Lana Saria, head of the government Geology Agency.
  • Hikers ignored warnings – Multiple outlets report that the area had been declared off-limits last month after scientists observed increased volcanic activity. Police say warning signs were posted and social media appeals were made, but some climbers were undeterred.
  • Rescue hampered by terrain and ongoing eruptions – Police and rescue officials described rough terrain only partially accessible by vehicles, with victims needing to be carried on stretchers. Continued rumbling from the volcano slowed evacuation efforts.
  • Volcano's status – Mount Dukono is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes and is currently at level two of the country's four-tiered alert system, according to officials.

Perspectives

Authorities' perspective

Indonesian officials have emphasized that the hikers were in a restricted zone. North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu told Fox News that climbers "were aware that climbing was prohibited" but "insisted on going ahead." He suggested some were driven by "the desire to create online content." The disaster agency's Abdul Muhari noted that rescue teams continued their work "as volcanic activity increases," highlighting the risks faced by responders.

Rescue and recovery perspective

Search and rescue teams worked under dangerous conditions. Local search and rescue agency head Iwan Ramdani said the bodies were recovered during a "golden moment" between ongoing eruptions. The victims' position, buried under significant volcanic material, made evacuation difficult, according to Abdul Muhari. The remains have been transported to a local hospital for identification before being returned to families.

Geologists' perspective

Geologists warned of continued hazards. Lana Saria of the government Geology Agency said the eruption was accompanied by a "booming sound" and that ash distribution was leaning northward, meaning residential areas and Tobelo city needed to be vigilant for volcanic ash rain. She cautioned that the ash could be dangerous for public health and could disrupt transportation.

Broader context

Indonesia, a vast archipelago on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," has nearly 130 active volcanoes and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity. Mount Dukono has been erupting continuously since 1933, according to Fox News, making it one of the region's most persistently active volcanoes.

The Singapore embassy in Jakarta was in Halmahera to coordinate with rescuers and facilitate the repatriation of the seven Singaporean survivors, who were expected to return home Sunday, according to the city-state's foreign ministry.