Rescuers have recovered the bodies of two Singaporean hikers from the slopes of Indonesia’s Mount Dukono volcano on Halmahera Island, two days after the 8 May 2026 eruption killed three people. The men, aged 30 and 27, were found buried under thick volcanic material near where an Indonesian woman climber had been found a day earlier.
The Eruption
- Date: Friday, 8 May 2026
- Location: Mount Dukono, Halmahera Island, North Maluku province
- Ash column: ~10 km (6 miles) into the air
- Dead: 3 (two Singaporean men, one Indonesian woman)
- Evacuated: 17 of 20 climbers safely brought to safety by Friday evening
The Recovery
- Indonesian woman’s body recovered Saturday 9 May
- Two Singaporean men recovered Sunday 10 May
- Bodies covered by thick volcanic material — slowed evacuation
- Singaporean nationals and Indonesian climbers assisted with route information
Why The Hikers Were There
- Mount Dukono is a restricted zone due to its high alert status
- Police: climbers knew it was prohibited but pushed ahead
- Many were on the volcano to create online content
- Indonesian authorities reviewing tour-operator licences and access controls
Why It Matters
- Dukono is one of Indonesia’s most continuously active volcanoes
- The tragedy spotlights Indonesia’s chronic challenge balancing tourism, content-creator demand, and restricted-zone enforcement
- Flight-safety warnings remain active for the wider Halmahera airspace
- Singapore foreign-ministry coordinating consular support for next of kin
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