JAKARTA, Indonesia — An Indonesian mountain guide has recounted the terrifying moments a volcanic eruption on Mount Dukono killed three hikers during a climbing expedition on the active volcano in North Maluku province.
Reza Selang said he narrowly escaped death after a massive rock hurled from the crater crushed two hikers beside him during Friday’s eruption on the volcano located on Halmahera Island.
“There are no words. Until now, I still feel torn apart, I still can’t believe it,” Reza told the BBC in an interview. “Right now, I am deeply devastated.”
Indonesian authorities confirmed that two Singaporean hikers and one Indonesian national died in the eruption, while other members of the hiking party were safely evacuated.
The victims were identified as Singaporeans Timothy Heng and Shahin Muhrez bin Abdul Hamid, alongside Indonesian hiker Angel Krishela Pradita.
The group of 20 hikers, comprising Singaporean and Indonesian nationals, had climbed Mount Dukono despite official restrictions barring public access near the crater due to heightened volcanic activity.
Authorities said the volcano had erupted more than 200 times since late March and that climbing permits had been suspended from April 17. Officials had also prohibited access within a four-kilometre radius of the crater.
According to Reza, however, he was unaware of the restrictions before leading the expedition.
He said local villagers who regularly assisted his tours also did not inform him about the prohibition.
Reza explained that the hiking group began ascending the mountain on Thursday afternoon under calm conditions with no visible signs of volcanic activity.
The following morning, the hikers reached the summit without incident. Reza said he even deployed a drone to inspect the crater and observed no smoke or visible eruption warning signs.
At about 7:40 am local time, he sent the drone up again to monitor the group near the crater.
“One minute later, the mountain erupted,” he recalled.
Reza said the first eruption produced smoke, but a second eruption moments later ejected volcanic rocks and debris toward the hikers.
As the group scrambled downhill, Reza spotted Shahin Muhrez lying injured near the crater through the drone footage. He rushed uphill to assist him, while Heng returned to help despite initially escaping with the others.
The two men attempted to drag Shahin to safety as volcanic rocks rained down around them.
Then, according to Reza, a massive rock estimated to be about two metres wide bounced down from the crater toward the trio.
“Timothy turned back, and in only a split second, he immediately hugged Shahin,” Reza said.
The rock struck both men, killing them instantly.
“I just stayed still. Maybe for about one minute,” he said. “Then I snapped out of it and ran for my life down the mountain.”
Indonesian rescue teams later recovered the bodies after a difficult operation hampered by volcanic ash and unstable terrain.
Authorities have since permanently closed all access routes to Mount Dukono and launched investigations into possible negligence by tourism operators involved in organising the climb.
The North Halmahera Police said investigators were examining whether organisers violated official safety restrictions and whether criminal liability could arise from the expedition.
Police confirmed that two individuals connected to Reza’s tour company had been questioned as witnesses.
“Investigators are continuing to examine the role of each individual in organising the dangerous climb,” police said in a statement.
Reza said he has surrendered drone footage to investigators and acknowledged he may face legal consequences.
“Whatever legal consequences happen, I have to accept them,” he said.
Indonesia sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it one of the world’s most volcanically active regions. Fatal accidents involving hikers on active volcanoes have become an increasing concern as adventure tourism grows despite repeated safety warnings from authorities.
