Indonesia locates two Singaporeans missing after Mount Dukono eruption
By Ananda Teresia
Rescue Efforts and Investigation Following Mount Dukono Eruption
Discovery of Missing Singaporeans
JAKARTA, May 9 (Reuters) - Indonesian authorities on Saturday located two Singaporeans who went missing after Mount Dukono erupted on the Pacific island of Halmahera, officials said, but it was unclear whether they were alive.
"We have identified the coordinates of their locations. It's around the crater rim," Iwan Ramdani, the head of Indonesia's rescue agency, told Reuters. "This is on drone surveillance and is consistent with witness accounts."
Both appeared to be 20 to 30 metres (65 to 100 feet) from the rim of the main crater, said disaster mitigation agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari.
Ongoing Search and Rescue Operations
Efforts to Locate Other Missing Individuals
Rescuers have not located an Indonesian missing since the volcano in North Maluku province began erupting on Friday, spewing ash as high as 10 km (6 miles).
Survivors told police the three missing people were dead, police chief Erlichson Pasaribu said on Friday.
Deployment and Challenges
At least 100 rescuers, military and police personnel, as well as two thermal drones, have been deployed, focusing the search around the crater, covering an area around 700 metres, Iwan said.
Evacuations were hampered by extreme terrain and continued eruptions. Authorities on Friday evacuated 17 people - seven Singaporeans and 10 Indonesians.
Support and Assistance for Affected Individuals
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy in Jakarta were working with the Indonesian authorities to gather information and provide consular assistance and support to the affected Singaporeans and their families, the ministry said in a statement.
Investigation into Tour Company and Climbing Ban
Police Investigation
Police chief Pasaribu said that they are investigating a tour company which provided services for the 20 hikers, for possible negligence that endangered others' lives.
They have questioned six people but did not arrest them. Police will investigate further why the tour company still took tourists to climb Mount Dukono although climbing had been banned.
Climbing Restrictions and Safety Measures
Pasaribu said climbing to Dukono's summit has been prohibited since 2024 due to eruptions at that time, and the local government has forbidden all climbing activities since April this year following increased eruptions.
The volcanology agency is maintaining the third-highest alert level for Mount Dukono and warns that residents and tourists were advised not to do any activities within 4 km (2.5 miles) of the crater.
Impact and Context
Flight Operations
There were no reports of flight disruptions caused by the eruption.
Geological Background
Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an area of high seismic activity atop various tectonic plates.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Ananda Teresia in Jakarta and Xinghui Kok in Singapore; Editing by Kim Coghill and William Mallard)
