Mount Dukono, a volcano on Indonesia's Halmahera island, erupted on May 8, releasing an ash cloud high into the atmosphere. (CIRA/TMX)
Three people are dead. five others were injured Friday when Mount Dukono erupted on a remote Indonesian island, where the hikers were in arestricted area, authorities said.
About 20 climbers set out Thursday to climb the nearly 1,355-meter (4,445-foot) volcano in Halmahera. Indonesia, despite safety restrictions, North Halmahera Police Chief Erlichson Pasaribu said.
"They were aware thatclimbing was prohibited as themountain is a restricted zone due to its high alert status. insisted on going ahead," Pasaribu said.
Despite warnings on social media. signs at the site, "many people remain determined to climb, driven by the desire to create online content," Pasaribu said.
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In this photo released by the Badan Geologi, the geological agency of Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy. Mineral Resources, Mount Dukono releases volcanic materials during an eruption in North Halmahera, Indonesia, Friday, May 8, 2026.(Badan Geologi via AP)
Pasaribu said three people, including one local resident and two Singaporeans, were killed in the eruption. The Indonesian victim was from Ternate, which is in the same province as Mount Dukono.
The three victims' bodies remain on the volcano, with ongoing eruptions. difficult terrain preventing them from being evacuated by rescue teams, Pasaribu said.
The group became stranded when the volcano erupted at 7:41 a.m.,sending a column of ashover 6 miles into the sky.
STUNNING PHOTOS CAPTURE MOMENT ONE OF INDONESIA'S MOST ACTIVE VOLCANOES ERUPTS
Rescue teams were deployed after receiving an emergency signal from the mountain area.
Joint search. rescue (SAR) teams prepare to evacuate victims affected by the eruption of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera, Maluku Province, Indonesia, on May 08, 2026. At least three Singaporeans have been killed, while 17 others are still being searched for.(Basarnas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
As of Friday afternoon, 17 climbers had been safely evacuated, including seven Singaporean nationals. two Indonesians who joined the rescue operation and provided information on the climbing routes of the victims before the eruption, National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said.
Five of those evacuated were reported injured.
MORE THAN 20 'ILL-PREPARED' HYPOTHERMIC HIKERS RESCUED FROM SNOWY CONDITIONS ON NEW ENGLAND'S HIGHEST PEAK
Joint search. rescue (SAR) teams prepare to evacuate victims affected by the eruption of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera, Maluku Province, Indonesia, on May 08, 2026. At least three Singaporeans have been killed, while 17 others are still being searched for. (Photo by Basarnas/Anadolu via Getty Images)(Basarnas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Pasaribu said police will question those who joined the hikers up the mountain. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Indonesian National Police for additional information.
According to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, Mount Dukono has been continuously erupting since 1933.
"Friday’s eruption was among the strongest during this period," said Lana Saria, who heads Indonesia’sGeologyAgency at the Energy. Mineral Resources Ministry.
TheAssociated Presscontributed to this report.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a U.S. Writer at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent tosarah.rumpf@fox.comand on X@s_rumpfwhitten
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