Two Singaporean hikers among three killed in Mount Dukono eruption

North Maluku — — Two Singaporean hikers were killed alongside an Indonesian hiker when Mount Dukono erupted on Halmahera Island in North Maluku on Friday, 8 May 2026, according to Indonesian authorities and international media. The fatalities occurred during an early-morning climb in a restricted area near the active volcano.

The two Singaporean victims were part of a group of 20 hikers, a mix of Singaporean and Indonesian nationals, who were on the mountain when the eruption sent ash and rocks high into the air, according to police and disaster officials cited by multiple outlets.

Rescue agencies said 17 hikers survived and were evacuated from the mountain following the eruption, while three were confirmed dead. The victims were identified as two Singaporean men and one Indonesian woman, based on statements from North Halmahera police and national disaster officials reported by local and international media.

Victims and reported circumstances

The two Singaporean nationals were named in Indonesian media as Heng Wen Qiang Timothy, 30, and Shahin Muhrez Bin Abdul Hamid, 27. An Indonesian hiker, referred to as Enjel in disaster agency reports, also died in the incident.

A local rescue official told reporters that the bodies of the Singaporean victims were found holding each other under rock debris near the crater rim, having been crushed by large rocks during the eruption. Indonesian reports described their remains as incomplete due to the impact.

The eruption was reported at 07:41 local time, spewing volcanic ash up to around 10 km above the summit, according to Indonesia’s volcanology agency. Authorities said the hikers had entered an area that was subject to climbing restrictions and safety warnings because of the ongoing volcanic activity.

Rescue operation and official response

Search and rescue teams, including local rescue agencies, police, military personnel and drone units, were deployed to evacuate hikers and locate the missing. Continuous eruptions, rain and difficult terrain initially hampered efforts, but all three bodies were eventually recovered, and the search operation was formally closed once all victims had been found.

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said 17 climbers were safely evacuated, including seven Singaporean nationals, while three climbers were confirmed dead. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it was working closely with Indonesian authorities to provide consular assistance and support to affected Singaporeans and their families.

Following the incident, authorities reiterated a ban on activities within a 4 km radius of Mount Dukono’s main crater and maintained an elevated alert level for the volcano, citing ongoing risks from ejected rocks, ash and other hazards.

Volcanic hazard context

Indonesia’s volcanology agency had previously recommended that tourists and climbers refrain from approaching within 4 km of Mount Dukono’s crater due to persistent eruptive activity and the danger of falling rocks and ash. Media coverage noted that despite these warnings, the group of hikers proceeded to the summit area, where they were caught by the explosive eruption.

Authorities subsequently closed all climbing routes and entrances to Mount Dukono and warned that any violations of the prohibition on climbing would be subject to sanctions, according to Indonesian and international reports.

Prospective visitors are advised to follow current instructions from Indonesian authorities and official volcano monitoring channels, and to avoid restricted zones around active volcanoes such as Mount Dukono.

Sources

• BBC News feature and news report on Mount Dukono eruption and hikers
• Reuters report on confirmation of two Singaporeans dead in Mount Dukono eruption
• Associated Press report on Mount Dukono eruption killing three hikers
• The Jakarta Post report on search for two Singaporeans at Mount Dukono and hazard status
• DetikTravel article on tragic deaths of two Singaporean climbers at Mount Dukono
• The Star (Malaysia) article on two Singaporeans among three hikers reported dead after Mount Dukono eruption
• The Watchers report on Dukono eruption killing three and triggering rescue operation
• CNN-affiliated report quoting Singapore MFA on consular assistance (used only for MFA quote)
• Indonesia Expat