At least 3 people died and many climbers are still missing after Mount Dukono in Indonesia erupted on May 8.
According to the Indonesian Disaster Mitigation Board (BNPB), 5 more people were injured in the incident. Local police said 7 people were safely descended from the mountain, while 10 others are still missing in the area banned from access since last month due to increased volcanic activity.
Mr. Erlichson Pasaribu, North Halmahera District Police Chief, said that many climbers ignored warnings on social media and no-entry signs placed at the entrance to the trail.
Local people understand the danger and do not want to climb mountains," Mr. Erlichson said.
BNPB published images of a giant volcanic smoke column seen from the town of Tobelo, the main base for Dukono climbs, about 15-20km from the starting point of the trail.
Rescue forces, police and search staff are transporting supplies up the mountain to serve the evacuation. Mr. Erlichson said that the rugged terrain made the car only reach part of the mountainside, and the rest had to be carried by stretcher to bring the victims down.
The tremors from the eruption are still continuing, slowing down the evacuation process," he said on the afternoon of May 8.
The Indonesian Geological Agency also warned of the risk of volcanic ash rain in neighboring residential areas and Tobelo city. Ms. Lana Saria, head of this agency, said the ash distribution direction leaned north.
Indonesian authorities are investigating the possibility of management errors when some climbers were said to have entered the closed area. Mr. Abdul Muhari, head of the data department of the disaster management agency, said that authorities are still verifying the entire diễn biến of the incident.
