JAKARTA, Indonesia — An explosive eruption of Mount Dukono on a remoteIndonesianisland killed three hikers, authorities said Friday.
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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 a.m. local time, spewing a thick ash column that rose about 10 kilometers (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 the 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.
The bodies had not yet been recovered because continued eruptions and dangerous conditions prevented rescue teams from reaching the location.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has long banned activities within a 2.5 mile radius of Dukono’s crater, citing hazards such as volcanic bombs, ashfall and toxic gases. Officials believe the hikers were inside the restricted zone at the time of the eruption.
Despite warnings on social media and signs at the site, “many people remain determined to climb, driven by the desire to create online content,” Pasaribu said.
Source: Drudge Report
