Rescue Efforts Intensify for 20 Hikers Trapped by Mount Dukono Eruption

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Rescue Efforts Intensify for 20 Hikers Trapped by Mount Dukono Eruption

35 minutes ago

News sources:

CHANNELNEWSASIA

SCMP

REUTERS

ALJAZEERA

Rescue Efforts Intensify for 20 Hikers Trapped by Mount Dukono Eruption

Credited from: CHANNELNEWSASIA

Rescue teams are searching for 20 hikers after Mount Dukono erupted.
The eruption sent ash 10km into the sky, leading to three confirmed deaths.
Nine of the missing hikers are from Singapore, and the area was previously closed to visitors.

Indonesian authorities are intensifying rescue operations for 20 hikers following the eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island, which occurred on Friday at 7:41 AM local time. The volcano erupted, releasing a substantial ash cloud reaching up to 10km into the atmosphere, as confirmed by the country's volcanology agency. Search and rescue efforts were quickly mobilized, involving local police and rescue personnel, according to channelnewsasia and Reuters.

The situation escalated after it was reported that three hikers perished in the eruption, including two foreign nationals. The local police chief, Erlichson Pasaribu, noted that the hikers ventured into a restricted area, which had been closed to the public since April 17 due to escalating volcanic activity. Authorities warn residents to stay at least 4km away from the crater, as dangers of volcanic ash and mudflows are heightened, according to scmp and Al Jazeera.