BTN News: A group of climbers had a close brush with death as they narrowly escaped an unexpected eruption while scaling Mount Dukono, an active volcano in Indonesia’s northern Halmahera island. This intense incident, which took place last Saturday, was confirmed by the Indonesian National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) on Wednesday. The eruption, which continues to spew ash and smoke, caught the climbers off guard as they approached the summit, forcing them into a frantic race down the slopes to avoid being engulfed by the volcanic debris. The dramatic moment was captured on video and quickly spread across social media, illustrating the sheer terror and urgency of the climbers’ escape.
Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported, as confirmed by Abdul Muhari, a representative from BNPB. However, the situation at Mount Dukono remains perilous, with the volcano still experiencing ongoing eruptions. The most significant of these eruptions occurred on the day of the climbers’ narrow escape, underscoring the dangers of venturing near such volatile natural formations.
According to BNPB’s statement released on Tuesday, the group of climbers, numbering over a dozen, had embarked on an unauthorized ascent of the mountain. The climbers, now blacklisted from future expeditions, were fortunate to have survived the sudden and violent eruption, which could have easily ended in tragedy.
Mount Dukono, standing just over 1,000 meters tall, is located on the largest of the Maluku Islands and is currently under a level 2 alert, the second-highest on a four-tier scale. The authorities have strictly prohibited climbing and have urged the public to maintain a safe distance of at least 3 kilometers from the summit. This warning is particularly poignant given the recent history of volcanic activity in Indonesia, including the tragic eruption of Mount Marapi in Sumatra, where 21 climbers lost their lives last December under similar circumstances.
Indonesia is home to over 400 volcanoes, with at least 129 still active and 65 classified as particularly dangerous. The country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region notorious for its intense seismic and volcanic activity, experiencing around 7,000 earthquakes annually, most of which are minor.
The incident at Mount Dukono serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and deadly nature of volcanoes. Despite the allure of these majestic natural wonders, the risks they pose are immense, and strict adherence to safety guidelines is essential to avoid catastrophic outcomes. As the volcano continues to rumble, the story of these climbers’ narrow escape will hopefully serve as a cautionary tale for adventurers worldwide.
