A video filmed by Indonesian mountain guide Alex Djangu near the crater of Dukono volcano on Halmahera island, North Maluku province, on 8/5, shows a large column of smoke and ash rising from the summit.

Djangu reported hearing sounds from beneath the crater starting around 15h on 7/5. He then used a drone to investigate, discovering an unusual accumulation of volcanic material within the crater.

Despite Djangu's observations, many tourists remained eager to climb to the summit, dismissing the possibility of an eruption. On the morning of 8/5, while guiding two German tourists up Dukono, Djangu felt strong tremors. Soon after, he saw another climbing group nearing the crater rim. "When the large eruption occurred at 7h41 on 8/5, that group appeared to have just reached the summit and was enjoying the view," Djangu recalled. "I saw small rocks and gravel start to roll down due to the tremors, so I immediately told my clients to run down the mountain."

Djangu's group reached safety, but many others remained near the crater during the eruption. "I hope they are still alive," he added. Erlichson Pasaribu, North Halmahera regional police chief, reported 9 foreigners and 11 Indonesians were on the mountain at the time. Authorities launched a rescue operation for those trapped. By 18h on 8/5, three people had died: two Singaporean citizens and one Indonesian. Officials have not yet recovered their bodies. Search operations were suspended for the evening of 8/5 and will resume today.

In an updated statement on the evening of 8/5, Indonesia's disaster response agency urged tourists and residents to avoid all activities at Dukono volcano due to ongoing high volcanic activity. They emphasized compliance with official instructions.

A column of smoke rises as Dukono volcano erupts. *Photo: Indonesian Geological Agency*

Djangu highlighted the near absence of climbing control measures in the area. "Dukono lacks security checkpoints for access control, and there are no rangers to prevent people from climbing," he stated.

Dukono is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, with its activity increasing since late 3. Since 12/2024, authorities have advised tourists and climbers against activities within a 4 km radius of Dukono's active center. "When Dukono volcano does not erupt for several days, people need to be cautious because that could mean pressure is building up to a very high level inside," Djangu explained. "And that is exactly what happened today." Indonesia is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire", a region prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. This area, stretching from Japan and Indonesia in the western Pacific to California, My, and South America in the east, is among the world's most seismically active regions.