Two climbers have been killed following the eruption of Mount Dukono in Indonesia. The victims have been identified as citizens of China and Singapore. Local authorities reported that the eruption sent a massive column of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, creating hazardous conditions for those in the vicinity of the crater.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing the Detik portal and Reuters, rescue services are currently searching for approximately 20 tourists who remain trapped near the site. A representative of the local rescue service stated that nine of the missing individuals are Singaporean nationals, while the others are Indonesian. The eruption in North Maluku province sent ash clouds reaching altitudes of up to 10 kilometers (6.21 miles).
Indonesia, an archipelago located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is home to nearly 130 active volcanoes. Mount Dukono, situated on Halmahera Island, is one of the country's most active peaks, frequently exhibiting explosive activity. The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) maintains strict exclusion zones around such volcanoes, though adventurous climbers occasionally bypass these safety warnings, leading to tragic incidents during sudden escalations in activity.
