3 hikers killed by volcano eruption in Indonesia
An explosive eruption of Mount Dukono on a remote Indonesian island killed three hikers, authorities said on Friday.
About 20 climbers set out Thursday to ascend the nearly 1,355-meter (4,445-foot) volcano on the island of Halmahera, in defiance of safety restrictions, said North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu.
They became stranded when Dukono erupted at 7.41 am local time, spewing a thick ash column that rose about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) above the summit. The eruption was recorded on seismographs for more than 16 minutes, Indonesia’s Geological Agency said.
“They were aware that climbing was prohibited as the mountain is a restricted zone due to its high alert status, but insisted on going ahead,” Pasaribu said in a television interview.
Rescue teams were deployed after receiving an emergency signal from the mountain area.
Three men — two Singaporean and one Indonesian national — died at the scene, Pasaribu said. As of Friday afternoon, 14 climbers, including seven foreign nationals, had been safely evacuated.
Five of those evacuated were reported injured. Rescue teams continued to search for other climbers believed to be attempting to descend.
