Dukono climbing access permanently closed after 3 climbers found dead, Indonesia
Indonesia’s North Halmahera government permanently closed climbing access to Mount Dukono after 3 climbers were found dead following the May 8, 2026, eruption on Halmahera Island, North Maluku. BNPB said the area had already been under a total climbing closure since April 17, before the closure was reinforced through a May 8 Regent decision barring operators, managers, and climbing-service providers from issuing permits.
A joint SAR team carries body bags of victims of the Dukono volcano eruption in North Halmahera, North Maluku, on Sunday, May 10, 2026. Credit: Basarnas
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said the North Halmahera government ordered the permanent closure of climbing access to the volcano and prohibited all parties involved in climbing services from granting permission to enter the route.
Additionally, the local government barred residents and tourists from entering the disaster-prone zone within 4 km (2.5 miles) of the crater summit, in line with recommendations from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).
BNPB said climbing-route managers and service providers were ordered to notify residents and visitors that access to Dukono is closed because of the eruption hazard. Authorities will tighten monitoring around the volcano, and anyone violating the closure faces sanctions under applicable regulations.
The eruption that led to the search-and-rescue (SAR) operation occurred at 07:41 WIT on May 8 (22:41 UTC on May 7), according to PVMBG. It was recorded with a maximum seismic amplitude of 34 mm and a duration of 967 seconds, producing a thick ash column reaching about 10 000 m (32 800 feet) above the summit.
Combined SAR teams recovered one Indonesian victim on Saturday, May 9, and found the final two missing climbers on Sunday, May 10, during the third day of operations. BNPB officials said the two final victims were foreign nationals and were located near the first recovery site, bringing the confirmed toll to 3 fatalities and leaving all previously missing climbers accounted for before the operation was closed.
A total of 18 people were reportedly present at the volcano when it erupted, including 7 Singaporean nationals and 8 Indonesian nationals. BNPB said the survivors were found in safe condition, while two survivors assisted SAR teams by providing information on the climbing route and the last known positions of the victims before the emergency.
A total of 98 SAR personnel were deployed in four teams on the final search day.
“Climbing a mountain is indeed about pushing beyond one’s limits,” BNPB said. “But there is one thing we often forget: volcanoes follow rules of their own.”
“Have you ever wondered why summit climbs are sometimes suddenly prohibited? It is not because authorities want to restrict your freedom. It is our way of translating the ‘language’ of an unstable mountain — recorded by seismic sensors and by the lava and hot steam moving beneath its surface.”
PVMBG warned that ashfall from Dukono can affect health, daily activities, transport, and sanitation in exposed areas. Communities around the volcano were advised to keep masks or other nose and mouth coverings available during ashfall.
Lahars are another serious hazard during rainfall, particularly along drainage channels that descend from Dukono’s summit area. The main sectors of concern are the Mamuya River to the north and the Mede and Tauni rivers to the northeast.
References:
1 Tiga Korban Erupsi Gunung Dukono Ditemukan, Operasi SAR Resmi Ditutup – BNPB – May 10, 2026
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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