Three hikers killed after climbing restricted Indonesian volcano to create online content, police say

close Video Hikers killed, others rescued after volcano erupts in Indonesia Mount Dukono, a volcano on Indonesia's Halmahera island, erupted on May 8, releasing an ash cloud high into the atmosphere. (CIRA/TMX) NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Hören Sie sich diesen Artikel an 2 Min Three people are dead and five others were injured Friday when Mount Dukono erupted on a remote Indonesian island, where the hikers were in a restricted area, authorities said. About 20 climbers set out Thursday to climb the nearly 1,355-meter (4,445-foot) volcano in Halmahera, Indonesia, despite safety restrictions, Halmahera" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="124017" data-entity-type="location">North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu said. "They were aware that climbing was prohibited as the mountain is a restricted zone due to its high alert status, but insisted on going ahead," Pasaribu said. Despite warnings on social media and signs at the site, "many people remain determined to climb, driven by the desire to create online content," Pasaribu said. 'RECKLESS’ TOURISTS ON ISLAND HOT SPOT COULD BE SLAPPED WITH FINES FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES USE In this photo released by the Badan Geologi, the geological agency of Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mount Dukono releases volcanic materials during an eruption in Halmahera" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="124017" data-entity-type="location">North Halmahera, Indonesia, Friday, May 8, 2026. (Badan Geologi via AP) Pasaribu said that three people, including one local resident and two Singaporeans, were killed in the eruption. The Indonesian victim was from Ternate, which is in the same province as Mount Dukono. The three victims' bodies remain on the volcano, with ongoing eruptions and difficult terrain preventing them from being evacuated by rescue teams, Pasaribu said. The group became stranded when the volcano erupted at 7:41 a.m. local time, sending a column of ash over six miles into the sky. STUNNING PHOTOS CAPTURE MOMENT ONE OF Indonesia'S MOST ACTIVE VOLCANOES ERUPTS Rescue teams were deployed after receiving an emergency signal from the mountain area. Joint search and rescue (SAR) teams prepare to evacuate victims affected by the eruption of Mount Dukono in Halmahera" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="124017" data-entity-type="location">North Halmahera, Maluku Province, Indonesia, on May 08, 2026. At least three Singaporeans have been killed, while 17 others are still being searched for. (Basarnas/Anadolu via Getty Images) As of Friday afternoon, 17 climbers had been safely evacuated, including seven Singaporean nationals and two Indonesians who joined the rescue operation and provided information on climbing routes of the victims before the eruption, National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said. MORE THAN 20 'ILL-PREPARED' HYPOTHERMIC HIKERS RESCUED FROM SNOWY CONDITIONS ON NEW ENGLAND'S HIGHEST PEAK Joint search and rescue (SAR) teams prepare to evacuate victims affected by the eruption of Mount Dukono in Halmahera" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="124017" data-entity-type="location">North Halmahera, Maluku Province, Indonesia, on May 08, 2026. At least three Singaporeans have been killed, while 17 others are still being searched for. (Photo by Basarnas/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Basarnas/Anadolu via Getty Images) Pasaribu said that police will question those who joined the hikers up the mountain. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Indonesian National Police for additional information. According to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, Mount Dukono has been continuously erupting since 1933. "Friday’s eruption was among the strongest during this period," said Lana Saria, who heads Indonesia’s Geology Agency at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a U.S. Writer at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to sarah.rumpf@fox.com and on X @s_rumpfwhitten Fox News' Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world." By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!