Indonesia's local rescue agency confirmed on May 10, 2026, that two Singaporean hikers—Heng Wen Qiang Timothy, 30, and Shahin Muhrez bin Abdul Hamid, 27—were found dead near the crater rim of Mount Dukono following the volcano's May 8 eruption. Their bodies were located under rock debris in the search area. An Indonesian woman hiker was also confirmed dead on May 9, bringing the total death toll to three.
The recovery operation for the Singaporean nationals remains ongoing but faces severe complications. Mount Dukono erupted at least four times in recent days, with one eruption sending volcanic ash approximately 1.6 km into the atmosphere. Heavy rain and volcanic ash blanketing the search area have further impeded evacuation efforts by the 150-person rescue team, which has deployed two thermal drones to assist in the operation.
Recovery operations face volcanic hazards
Rescue teams continue working to evacuate the bodies of both Singaporean nationals despite repeated volcanic activity that shows no signs of abating. The volcano remains at Indonesia's third-highest alert level, with a 4-km exclusion zone around the crater. The initial May 8 eruption spewed ash 10 km high, creating hazardous conditions across Halmahera island in Indonesia's North Maluku province.
Seventeen climbers—seven Singaporeans and ten Indonesians—were successfully evacuated from the mountain, with five requiring treatment for injuries. The seven surviving Singaporean nationals are scheduled to return home. However, the death of three climbers underscores the severe risks that materialized when approximately 20 people defied official safety restrictions to ascend the active volcano.
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Pattern of safety violations
The tragedy at Mount Dukono exemplifies the recurring tension between adventure tourism demand and volcanic hazard management in Indonesia. Despite explicit bans and elevated alert levels designed to protect lives, the group's decision to proceed with the climb—allegedly facilitated by local tour operators—resulted in three preventable deaths and injuries to five others.
Mount Dukono is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, with persistent eruptive activity that prompted authorities to establish the multi-kilometer exclusion zone. The volcano's location in the remote North Maluku province has historically made enforcement challenging, but the presence of foreign nationals among the casualties may intensify scrutiny of how such restrictions are communicated and enforced in practice.
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