Dukono Mountain Eruption Kills Victims, SAR Team Finds All Hikers Missing

HALMAHERA UTARA - The search operation for victims of the eruption of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera, North Maluku, ended in grief. All the victims who had previously been declared missing have been found and evacuated by a joint SAR team.

The eruption of Mount Dukono occurred on Friday, May 8, 2026. The event caused a number of people to be trapped on the mountain slopes. The joint team began moving from Saturday, May 9, 2026.

The search operation involved Basarnas, TNI, Polri, BPBD North Halmahera, MAPALA, volunteers, local residents, and the Emergency Response Team or ERT of PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals (NHM).

The NHM Rescue Team, led by Zakaria Barham, together with Aristo Elly and Fans Daniel Ambeua. They joined the search operation, mapping the victim's point, first aid, and evacuation to the emergency handling post.

The search area is not easy. The team must penetrate steep slopes, bad weather, and post-eruption conditions that are still risky. In situations like this, speed is important. But the safety of the team should not be exchanged for recklessness.

"In the midst of a fierce terrain and unfriendly weather, together with our joint SAR Team, we continue to move while paying attention to safety aspects. We are trying to overcome various limitations for the hope of finding all the victims," said Commander of the NHM ERT Team, Zakaria Barham in a written statement received Tuesday, May 12.

The first victim, Engel Krishela Pradita, was found on May 9, 2026 in a dead condition. A day later, on May 10, 2026, the last two victims were also found dead.

With this finding, all victims who were reported missing due to the eruption of Mount Dukono have been evacuated and transferred to emergency handling posts.

The involvement of ERT NHM is part of a wider humanitarian operation. In disasters like this, a quick response cannot rely on one party alone. The apparatus, volunteers, residents, and corporate resources around the location must move in one command so that no victims are left behind.