Jakarta: The search for those missing after the volcanic eruption in Indonesia resumes today. Indonesian rescue workers are preparing to resume their search today for two more missing Singaporean citizens following Friday's violent eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island in North Maluku province. The search is believed to have located the missing individuals, while the body of the first missing Indonesian citizen has already been recovered.
According to Thai News Agency, Indonesian rescue workers have located two Singaporeans who went missing after the eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island, North Maluku Province, on Friday. They found the two men, aged 30 and 27, approximately 20-30 meters from the rim of the main crater. However, their exact location remains unknown amidst ongoing volcanic activity and treacherous terrain. Rescuers used thermal imaging drones to pinpoint their location, corroborating witness accounts, but ash and ongoing eruptions are making access to the area difficult.
Meanwhile, rescue workers found the first body of a victim on Saturday afternoon, an Indonesian woman buried under volcanic ash about 60 meters from the crater. Rescue teams recovered her body and handed it over to her family. The rescue operation was temporarily suspended Saturday evening due to the dangers of eruptions, heavy rain, and the heat from volcanic debris. The search is planned to resume today with over 100 personnel, including rescue workers, soldiers, and police.
Earlier, authorities rescued 17 climbers from the volcano: 7 Singaporeans and 10 Indonesians. The Singaporean group, who were safe, were assisted by the embassy and are scheduled to return home on Sunday. Some are still receiving treatment at hospital for minor burn injuries.
Police are investigating the tour company that brought this group of climbers up the mountain, as the area has been off-limits since April 2026 due to increased volcanic activity and falls within a 4-kilometer restricted zone around the 815 crater.