Rescue Launched for 20 Hikers Stranded by Mount Dukono Eruption

Indonesian authorities launched a rescue operation Friday for at least 20 hikers stranded by an eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island in North Maluku province.

The volcano erupted at 7:41 a.m. local time, ejecting a column of ash reaching 10 kilometers into the sky, according to the country's volcanology agency. Officials maintained the alert level at its third-highest status and urged residents and tourists to stay at least 4 kilometers from the crater. The agency also warned of potential volcanic mudflows if rains occur in the area. No disruptions to flights have been reported.

Among the hikers believed trapped by the sudden ashfall and debris are nine Singaporeans and the rest Indonesians, said Iwan Ramdani, head of the local rescue agency. "We have deployed dozens of personnel, including police, to search for the 20 hikers," Ramdani told reporters.

The rescue teams face challenging conditions amid ongoing volcanic activity. Mount Dukono, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, has a history of catching trekkers off guard. On April 6, a group of hikers endured a similar eruption, with ash and debris shooting skyward. Video footage captured the panic as some attempted...