Jakarta : Indonesian authorities launched rescue operations after the eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island, which left 20 hikers missing and sent a volcanic ash plume about 10 kilometres into the sky.
The head of the local search and rescue agency said rescue teams, supported by police personnel, were deployed to search for the missing hikers, adding that no injuries had been confirmed so far.
He said nine of the missing are Singaporean nationals, while the others are Indonesian.
Indonesia’s Geological Agency said Mount Dukono, located in North Maluku province, erupted on Friday, sending volcanic ash around 10 kilometres into the sky.
Indonesia’s volcanology agency maintained the alert level for Mount Dukono at the third highest level and warned residents to stay at least four kilometres away from the crater.
Authorities also warned of possible volcanic mudflows during rainfall, while no disruption to air traffic had been reported.
