Indonesian rescuers retrieve body of hiker killed in volcanic eruption
Two hikers from Singapore and one from Indonesia died in Friday’s eruption at Indonesia’s Mount Dukono, in a location that was a no-go area
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Indonesian volcanic eruption kills 3
Rescuers on Saturday recovered the body of an Indonesian woman caught in a volcanic eruption at Mount Dukono on Indonesia’s remote island of Halmahera a day earlier, as search operations continued to find the bodies of two Singaporeans, officials said.
The slain hikers were among 20 who set out to ascend the 1,355-metre (4,445-foot) volcano in defiance of safety restrictions and became stranded when Dukono erupted early on Friday, spewing a thick ash column that rose about 10 km (6 miles) into the air.
The woman was located about 50 metres (165 feet) from the rim of the main crater, said Iwan Ramdani, who heads the local search and rescue office.
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Mount Dukono eruption in Indonesia kills 3 hikers, including 2 Singaporeans
The location of the bodies of two Singaporean climbers remained unknown, and rescue teams were continuing operations amid high volcanic activity, he said.
Hours after the eruption, 17 climbers had been safely evacuated, including seven Singaporean nationals and two Indonesians who eventually joined the rescue operation and provided information on the climbing routes of the victims before the eruption.
Ten of those evacuated suffered minor burn injuries.
The search operation that involved more than 100 personnel supported by drones resumed early on Saturday, focusing on a 700 square-metre (7,500 square-foot) area where clues were found during earlier searches, despite hazardous terrain and continuing eruptions, according to Ramdani.
