Sunday, May 10, 2026- Authorities in Indonesia have confirmed that two missing Singaporean hikers died after becoming trapped during a violent eruption at Mount Dukono in North Maluku.
Rescue teams recovered the first body after days of dangerous search operations disrupted by thick volcanic ash, heavy rain, and continuing eruptions around the crater zone. Officials said both hikers were part of a group exploring the active volcano despite warnings and climbing restrictions already issued due to heightened volcanic activity.
Search and recovery operations became extremely challenging as rescue workers battled unstable ground, poor visibility, and repeated eruptions that forced temporary evacuations from the mountain.
Indonesian disaster agencies deployed drones, thermal imaging equipment, and specialized rescue teams to locate the victims near dangerous sections of the crater. Mount Dukono remains one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, with authorities continuing to warn residents and tourists to stay outside restricted zones as ash clouds and seismic activity persist.
The tragedy has renewed serious concerns over adventure tourism safety and enforcement across Indonesia’s volcanic regions. Travel experts and emergency officials are now calling for stricter monitoring of tourists entering high-risk areas, stronger communication of danger alerts, and tougher penalties for violating safety bans.
As tourism rebounds across Southeast Asia, the deaths of the two hikers highlight the growing need for governments and tour operators to balance tourism growth with public safety before more lives are put at risk.
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