Ignoring "Danger" Warnings... Hikers Climb Indonesian Active Volcano for SNS Content, Tragedy Ensues

Three Hikers Dead, Ten Missing
Ignored "No Entry" Signs and Climbed Anyway

Following the eruption of a volcano on Halmahera Island, Indonesia, which resulted in the deaths of three hikers and additional casualties, footage capturing the urgent situation at the time has been circulating online.

On the morning of the 8th (local time) at 7:41 a.m., the Dukono volcano on Halmahera Island in North Maluku Province, Indonesia, erupted, and hikers were hurrying down the mountain. SNS

On May 8 (local time) at 7:41 a.m., the Dukono volcano on Halmahera Island in North Maluku Province, Indonesia, erupted. According to the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, volcanic ash soared to a height of approximately 10 kilometers into the sky.

During this event, three hikers lost their lives and ten others went missing.

Videos capturing the situation at the time were continuously uploaded to social networking sites (SNS) such as X (formerly Twitter). The footage showed a massive pillar of volcanic ash rising into the sky, as hikers hurriedly evacuated down the mountain. People were heard shouting urgently, saying, "There are still people up there," "Rocks are falling," and "Volcanic ash has covered the hikers."

The activity of Dukono volcano had subsided for a period last year, but became active again from the end of March this year, with about 200 minor eruptions reported since then.

As a result, hiking access had been prohibited. Nevertheless, it has been confirmed that around 20 hikers ignored the warning signs and climbed the mountain, which led to the accident. The local police chief stated, "Local residents understood the situation and refrained from hiking," adding, "There were many foreign tourists who wanted to create (SNS) content."

Among the deceased, two foreigners were reported to be Singaporean nationals.

Initially, more than 20 people were reported missing, but seven of them have since been rescued. Local police and rescue authorities are continuing their search for the hikers who remain unaccounted for.

Indonesia is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where multiple tectonic plates meet, making it an area frequently affected by earthquakes and volcanic activity. There are more than 120 active volcanoes in the country.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.