Indonesian rescuers retrieve body from Mount Dukono as search continues

"Rescuers have recovered the body of an Indonesian woman who was caught in a volcanic eruption on Mount Dukono on Indonesia's remote island of Halmahera, officials have said. Search operations continued on Saturday for the bodies of two Singaporeans. The dead hikers were among 20 who set out to scale the 1,355-metre (4,445ft) volcano in defiance of safety restrictions and became stranded when Dukono erupted early on Friday, spewing a thick ash column about 6 miles (10km) into the air."

"The woman, identified by authorities only as Enjel and known as a local hiker, was found on Saturday afternoon, about 50 metres from the rim of the main crater, said Iwan Ramdani, who heads the local search and rescue office. The location of the two Singaporean climbers remains unknown, and rescue efforts are continuing amid high volcanic activity, he said."

"The rescue efforts went through a situation that required careful calculation and a well-planned evacuation strategy, Ramdani said, We took into account the potential escalation of volcanic activity as well as the safety of all personnel. Since the eruption, 17 hikers have been safely evacuated, including seven Singaporean nationals and two Indonesians who joined the rescue operation and provided information on the climbing routes of the victims. Ten of those evacuated suffered minor burn injuries."

"The search operation, involving more than 100 people supported by drones, resumed early on Saturday, focusing on a 700 sq metre area where clues were found during earlier searches, despite hazardous terrain and continuing eruptions, according to Ramdani. Ash cloud rises from Mount Dukono eruption in Indonesia video He added that rescuers were prioritising safety because Dukono's volcanic activity remains elevated. The main challenge in this search effort is that we are racing against eruptions, Ramdani said in a video statement."

A volcanic eruption on Mount Dukono on Halmahera stranded hikers who had climbed despite safety restrictions. Rescuers recovered the body of an Indonesian woman identified as Enjel near the main crater rim. Search operations continued for two Singaporean climbers whose locations remained unknown. The eruption produced a thick ash column and left hazardous terrain and elevated volcanic activity. Rescue teams used a planned evacuation strategy that accounted for possible escalation and personnel safety. More than 100 people supported by drones resumed searching early on Saturday, focusing on an area where clues were previously found. Seventeen hikers were evacuated safely, with ten suffering minor burn injuries.

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