At Least Three Hikers Killed After Massive Volcano Eruption

A terrifying volcanic eruption in Indonesia turned deadly Friday after at least three hikers were killed when one of the country’s most active volcanoes suddenly exploded, sending a massive cloud of ash soaring miles into the sky.

Officials said Mount Dukono erupted around 7:40 a.m. local time on Friday, unleashing a booming blast that echoed across the region and covering the area with thick volcanic ash.

The eruption sent smoke and ash nearly six miles above the volcano’s summit, according to Indonesia’s Volcanological Survey.

Panic quickly spread after authorities learned that around 20 hikers were still on the volcano when it erupted.

Emergency rescue crews rushed into the dangerous area to search for survivors as fears mounted over the fate of the group.

Hours later, officials confirmed that three hikers had died in the eruption — including two tourists from Singapore and one Indonesian national.

Fifteen others managed to make it down the mountain alive, while two porters who had accompanied the hiking group stayed behind to help recover the victims’ bodies, authorities said.

Local police chief Erlichson Pasaribu said the volcano had already been under climbing restrictions before the deadly disaster happened.

In fact, officials had banned hikers from entering the volcano area last month after volcanic activity sharply increased.

Authorities reportedly issued an alert on April 17 warning that the volcano was becoming more dangerous, but the hiking trip still went ahead anyway.

Now investigators are demanding answers.

Pasaribu said police plan to question the group’s tour guides about why the hikers were allowed to climb the volcano despite the official restrictions already being in place.

Mount Dukono has remained one of Indonesia’s most dangerous volcanoes for decades.

The volcano has been erupting almost continuously since 1933, according to officials, and volcanic activity had become especially intense in recent weeks.

Over just the past month alone, the volcano reportedly erupted nearly 200 times.

Indonesia sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most active seismic zones in the world, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions happen regularly.

The country is home to more than 120 active volcanoes, making deadly eruptions an ongoing threat for both locals and tourists alike.