JustUpdateOnline.com – Tobelo, Emergency responders in North Halmahera are racing against time to locate two missing trekkers following a violent eruption at Mount Dukono. On Saturday, search and rescue teams confirmed the recovery of one Indonesian climber who was found deceased a day after the volcanic activity began. The discovery shifts the focus of the mission toward two Singaporean nationals who remain unaccounted for in the volatile region.
Iwan Ramdani, the head of the Ternate Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, provided an update from the monitoring post in Tobelo, stating that the body of the Indonesian victim is currently being evacuated from the mountain. While the fatality marks a somber turn in the operation, rescuers have identified a potential lead in the search for the remaining two hikers.
Authorities reported that they have successfully intercepted a signal from a personal locator beacon (PLB) carried by one of the missing Singaporeans. This electronic distress signal has provided a specific target area for the joint SAR team, offering a vital reference point in an otherwise treacherous environment.
However, the rescue mission is facing significant environmental hurdles. The ongoing volcanic activity continues to discharge hazardous materials, and the presence of high-temperature volcanic debris coupled with heavy downpours has created a perilous situation for the ground teams. These factors have slowed the progress of the search as officials prioritize the safety of the rescue personnel.
In a more positive development, fifteen other climbers who were caught in the eruption have been safely accounted for. This group, which included seven Singaporeans and eight Indonesians, was promptly transported for medical evaluations. North Halmahera Police Chief AKBP Erlichson Pasaribu noted that the survivors were cleared to return home or continue their travels after receiving treatment.
Local government officials, including North Halmahera Regent Piet Hein Babua, confirmed that many of the survivors were treated at the Tobelo Regional General Hospital for minor thermal injuries caused by exposure to volcanic ash and heat. Following their discharge, the Singaporean nationals were assisted in their journey back to Ternate before their scheduled return to Singapore via Jakarta.
The incident began on Friday, May 8, when Mount Dukono erupted while 20 climbers were on the mountain. Although 17 individuals were successfully evacuated within the first 24 hours, the search continues for the final two members of the group. Local authorities remain hopeful that the ongoing SAR efforts will lead to a successful recovery despite the challenging conditions on the slopes.