Indonesian rescuers retrieve bodies from Mount Dukono
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Rescuers on Indonesia's Halmahera island found the bodies of two Singaporean hikers two days after a volcanic eruption on Mount Dukono, joining an Indonesian female hiker who was found dead earlier.
- The three victims were about 50 meters from the crater rim and were buried under densely packed volcanic material, complicating rescue efforts and slowing progress.
- The hikers were part of a group of 20 who climbed the volcano despite safety restrictions; 17 were evacuated safely, though some sustained minor burns.
- Search and rescue operations involved nearly 100 personnel and were hindered by ongoing volcanic activity, leading to the closure of the operation after the victims' bodies were recovered.
- Authorities have banned activities within a 4-kilometer danger zone around Mount Dukono and urged compliance with safety regulations to prevent further incidents.
