Deadly Eruption at Mount Dukono May 8, 2026

In a harrowing incident earlier today, May 8, 2026, Indonesia’s Mount Dukono erupted with devastating force, sending a massive plume of volcanic ash approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into the atmosphere. The eruption was captured in viral footage by local guide Lexi Djangu Trekker, which shows the terrifying moment the volcano on Halmahera island exploded as a group of hikers was on its slopes. Tragically, three people—two Singaporeans and one Indonesian national—were killed after reportedly entering a "no-go zone" that had been strictly off-limits due to recent surges in volcanic activity.

The Ternate Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) immediately launched a large-scale operation, successfully evacuating 15 survivors, many of whom were part of a larger group of 20 climbers caught near the summit. Local police confirmed that the recovery of the deceased has been delayed by ongoing eruptions and the dangerous terrain, as volcanic activity remains high with a 4-kilometer exclusion zone in effect. Authorities have issued urgent warnings for residents to stay clear of the Malupang Warirang Crater and to prepare for potential volcanic mudflows (lahars) should heavy rains strike the North Maluku region.