A group of climbers who were on the summit of Indonesia’s Dukono volcano on Halmahera Island, in the northern chain of the Maluku archipelago, narrowly avoided disaster during a dramatic escape as a powerful eruption unfolded last Saturday, according to a statement this week from the Disaster Management Agency. The rescue effort underscores the dangers faced by hikers who venture onto active volcanoes without proper authorization, especially when conditions are volatile and ash plumes can erupt without warning.
Officials from the National Agency for Disaster Management confirmed there were no confirmed fatalities as of now, even as the volcano continues to show signs of activity. The large plume that began to rise during the eruption forced the climbers to sprint down the slope in a panic, their ascent disrupted by a dense cloud of smoke and ash that rapidly obscured the path below the crater. Video footage circulating on social media appears to capture the moment the crater begins to spew ash, prompting the group to retreat with speed down the mountainside.
A BNPB press release dated this week notes that the climbers were undertaking an “unauthorized ascent” and indicates they were fortunate to escape the ash-blanketed area at that moment. The agency described the near-miss as a reminder of the risks of approaching the crater when the volcano remains active and volatile, with eruptions continuing to occur at intervals.
Officials said the climbers, a party of more than a dozen people visible in the footage, have been placed on a blacklist for future ascents. No further details about the individuals were provided. The incident has reignited calls for strict adherence to safety zones around Dukono, which sits just above 1,000 meters in elevation and lies in one of Indonesia’s most active volcanic regions.
The BNPB continues to warn residents and visitors not to approach within a three-kilometer radius of the summit, as ongoing activity keeps the volcanic alert at Level 2 on a four-level scale. The warning reflects the hazard posed by fresh eruptions, heavy ashfall, and sudden changes in wind direction that can carry ash and volcanic bombs toward nearby paths and settlements.
The region has a history of volcanic unrest. The agency pointed to a past tragedy at another nearby volcano, Marapi on Sumatra, where 21 climbers were killed during an eruption while the alert level was still at Level 2. That casualty event stands as a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of volcanic activity and the importance of following official guidance and risk assessments before attempting climbs.
Indonesia hosts more than 400 volcanoes, with roughly 129 considered active and about 65 classified as dangerous. The archipelago lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a band of intense seismic and volcanic activity that experiences thousands of tremors each year. While most movements are minor, the region remains highly dynamic, capable of sudden eruptions that can alter landscapes and threaten lives in moments.