Singaporean hikers found dead two days after Indonesia volcano eruption
The bodies of two Singaporean hikers have been discovered (Local Library)
Two Singaporean nationals, Heng Wen Qiang Timothy (30) and Shahin Muhrez bin Abdul Hamid (27), along with an Indonesian woman, have been confirmed dead following Friday’s eruption of Mount Dukono on Indonesia’s remote Halmahera island.
The bodies of the Singaporeans were located near the crater rim on Sunday, a day after the discovery of the Indonesian woman, but their evacuation is being hampered by continuous eruptions and adverse weather conditions, according to local rescue agency head Iwan Ramdani.
Approximately 20 climbers had ascended the nearly 1,355m volcano on Thursday, defying safety restrictions and the mountain’s high alert status, which prohibits activities within a 4km danger zone.
Seventeen climbers were safely evacuated, with five sustaining injuries, while local guides are currently under investigation for alleged negligence in leading hikers close to the crater despite warnings.
Mount Dukono, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, has been erupting almost continuously since 1933 and is currently at the second-highest alert level, with authorities warning of ongoing explosive magmatic eruptions.
