BNPB Still Searching for Three Missing Hikers After Dukono Volcano Eruption

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NORTH HALMAHERA — The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reported that a joint search and rescue team is still conducting operations to locate three hikers who went missing after the eruption of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera Regency, North Maluku. Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre Abdul Muhari stated in a release received in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Saturday (9/5/2026), that two of the three missing hikers are foreign nationals (WNA), while the other is an Indonesian national (WNI). “On the second day of this operation, the team focused the search in the area suspected to be the victims’ location. The positions of the two WNA were detected at a distance of 20 to 30 metres from the main crater rim,” Abdul said. BNPB reported that although the positions of the two WNA are known, evacuation has not yet been possible due to the extreme terrain conditions and the very high volcanic activity of Mount Dukono. Meanwhile, the one WNI hiker is still being tracked and has not been detected. Abdul emphasised that all personnel on the ground must prioritise safety and follow the recommendations of the Dukono Volcano Observation Post (PGA) from the Geological Agency, given that the mountain’s status is at Level II or Alert.