Rain hampers search after Indonesian volcanic eruption

The search for two missing Singaporean hikers thought to have died following the volcanic eruption of Mount Dukono is being hampered by constant eruptions and bad weather conditions.

Iwan Ramdani, head of the local rescue agency, said that about 150 personnel with two thermal drones have been deployed since Sunday morning in the search focus, about 100-150 meters from the crater rim.

“However, Mount Dukono continues to erupt and it is also raining in the area. We are carrying out rescue operations at intervals when there is no eruption,” Iwan told Reuters.

Mount Dukono, located in North Maluku province bordering the Pacific Ocean, began erupting on Friday, spewing ash up to 10 kilometers away. It has continued to erupt on a smaller scale since then.

The area around the crater is still covered in volcanic ash, Iwan said, adding that the search effort covers an area about 1.25 km away from the victims’ last known location.

Rescuers found backpacks suspected to belong to two Singaporeans. Police Chief Erlichson Pasaribu said survivors told police they were dead.

Authorities confirmed Saturday that an Indonesian hiker who had previously gone missing had died.

17 people survived, including 7 Singaporeans and 10 Indonesians.

In the statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, it was stated that Singaporeans will go home on Sunday.

Indonesia’s volcanology agency reported that at least three eruptions had occurred as of Sunday morning, with the highest amount spewing 1.3 kilometers of volcanic ash.

The agency still maintains the third-highest alert level for Mount Dukono, banning any activity within four kilometers of the crater.