Mount Dukono eruption: All 3 victims found, SAR operation ends
Synopsis
Three people are dead after climbing Mount Dukono despite a hiking ban in place since 17 April — and Indonesia's disaster agency says the tragedy was entirely preventable. The SAR operation concluded on 11 May after the final victim, a female Indonesian national, was recovered from beneath layers of volcanic material.
Key Takeaways
The joint SAR operation following the Mount Dukono eruption officially concluded on 11 May after all three missing victims were found.
Three people died — one Indonesian woman and two foreign male nationals aged 30 and 27 .
15 others were found safe, including 7 Singaporean nationals and 8 Indonesian citizens .
Mount Dukono erupted at 7:40 am local time on Friday , sending ash 10 km into the sky.
The hiking route had been fully closed since 17 April ; victims were present in violation of the ban.
BNPB warned that violations of route closures may result in sanctions under prevailing regulations.
The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) operation following the Mount Dukono volcanic eruption in Indonesia has officially concluded after all three missing victims were located, the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed on Sunday, 11 May. The final victim — a female Indonesian national — was recovered on Sunday, bringing the search to a close.
All Victims Accounted For
Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre, confirmed the development. "With the discovery of the other two victims, all victims previously declared missing have been found," Muhari stated.
The two other victims, both foreign nationals, were identified as males aged 30 and 27. Their remains, along with those of the Indonesian woman, were transported to Tobelo Regional Hospital for identification and further processing.
Eruption and Rescue Timeline
Mount Dukono erupted at approximately 7:40 am local time on Friday, sending a column of volcanic ash soaring up to 10 km into the sky. The scale of the eruption and the volume of volcanic material that buried the victims significantly delayed evacuation efforts, according to BNPB.
In total, 18 people were affected by the eruption. Beyond the three fatalities, 15 people were found safe — among them seven Singaporean nationals and eight Indonesian citizens.
Illegal Climbing Despite Route Closure
Notably, the Mount Dukono hiking route had been fully closed since 17 April — nearly three weeks before the eruption — yet the victims were present on the mountain in violation of that restriction. BNPB expressed regret over the climbing activity that took place despite the enforced closure.
"We urge hiking operators and the public to help disseminate information about the route closure. Violations may result in sanctions under prevailing regulations to ensure public safety," Muhari said.
Safety Advisory and Next Steps
The BNPB has also urged the public to comply with recommendations issued by the Geological Agency regarding activity restrictions around active volcanoes, to prevent similar tragedies. The agency's appeal signals a broader concern about compliance with safety protocols at Indonesia's numerous active volcanic sites.
Authorities are expected to review enforcement mechanisms around restricted hiking zones, as the incident underscores the life-threatening risk of ignoring official closures near active volcanoes.
Point of View
Yet a group of 18 people was on the mountain regardless. Indonesia manages over 120 active volcanoes, and the recurring pattern of illegal climbing despite official bans points to a structural enforcement gap that warnings and regret cannot fix. Until sanctions are consistently applied to operators and guides who facilitate restricted climbs, BNPB advisories will remain aspirational rather than preventive.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Mount Dukono in Indonesia?
Mount Dukono, an active volcano in Indonesia, erupted on Friday morning, sending volcanic ash up to 10 km into the sky. Three people were killed and 15 others were found safe after being caught in the eruption zone.
Were the victims on Mount Dukono legally?
No. The Mount Dukono hiking route had been fully closed since 17 April, nearly three weeks before the eruption. The victims were present in violation of the official closure, prompting BNPB to express regret and call for stricter compliance.
Who were the victims of the Mount Dukono eruption?
Three people died — one female Indonesian national and two foreign male nationals aged 30 and 27. Their remains were taken to Tobelo Regional Hospital for identification and further processing.
How many people were rescued from Mount Dukono?
A total of 15 people were found safe, including seven Singaporean nationals and eight Indonesian citizens, out of the 18 people affected by the eruption.
What is BNPB urging after the Mount Dukono incident?
The Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency has urged hiking operators and the public to respect route closures and comply with Geological Agency recommendations. It warned that violations may result in sanctions under prevailing regulations.
