Recovery Operations Following Volcanic Activity at Mount Dukono

May 9, 2026, 15:44
AsiaInternational

Introduction

Indonesian authorities are currently searching for three hikers after a volcanic eruption at Mount Dukono on Halmahera island.

Main Body

The incident began on Friday, May 8, 2026, when Mount Dukono erupted and sent an ash cloud 10 kilometers into the air. A group of 20 people had climbed the 1,355-meter volcano, even though they were doing so against official safety rules. While 17 people—including ten Indonesians and seven Singaporeans—were safely evacuated, three hikers went missing. Ten of the survivors suffered minor burns. The Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has identified the missing citizens as Heng Wen Qiang Timothy, 30, and Shahin Muhrez bin Abdul Hamid, 27. Rescue efforts involve more than 100 staff and the use of drones. So far, they have found the body of an Indonesian national named Enjel, about 50 meters from the crater edge. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) emphasized that the two Singaporeans were located closer to the crater, but rescue teams cannot reach them because of dangerous terrain, hot volcanic material, and floods. Local guides suggested that the victims might have used a faster but more dangerous climbing route. Safety measures have been in place since 2008, and the volcano has remained at a high alert level. Furthermore, a four-kilometer exclusion zone was created in December 2024, and all hiking paths were officially closed in April 2026. The BNPB warned that people who ignore these restrictions may face legal penalties. Meanwhile, the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta is working with Indonesian officials to help the seven surviving Singaporeans return home on Sunday, May 10.

Conclusion

Search operations continue for the two Singaporean nationals, despite the unstable volcanic activity and dangerous conditions.

Learning

⚡ The 'B2 Shift': Moving from Simple to Sophisticated Connections

At an A2 level, you usually connect ideas with simple words like and, but, or because. To reach B2, you need to use 'Connectors' that act like bridges, making your English sound more professional and fluid.

🧩 The Magic of 'Furthermore' and 'Meanwhile'

Look at how the article organizes information. It doesn't just list facts; it links them logically.

  • FURTHERMORE →\rightarrow Use this when you want to add a stronger or extra point to your argument.

    • A2 style: The volcano is dangerous. Also, there is a zone where you cannot go.
    • B2 style: The volcano is dangerous; furthermore, a four-kilometer exclusion zone was created.

  • MEANWHILE →\rightarrow Use this to describe two things happening at the same time in different places.

    • A2 style: Rescue teams are searching. The Embassy is helping people go home.
    • B2 style: Rescue operations continue; meanwhile, the Singapore Embassy is working to help survivors return home.

🛠️ Level-Up Your Vocabulary: Precision

B2 students stop using general words (like bad or big) and start using precise words. Let's extract the high-value terms from the text:

A2 Word (General)B2 Word (Precise)Context from Article
RulesRestrictions"...ignore these restrictions..."
AreaExclusion zone"...a four-kilometer exclusion zone..."
Hard/BadUnstable/Dangerous"...the unstable volcanic activity..."

💡 Pro Tip for Fluency

Notice the phrase "even though." This is a B2 power-move. Instead of saying "They climbed the mountain, but it was against the rules," use "even though" to show a surprising contrast:

"They climbed the volcano, even though they were doing so against official safety rules."

Vocabulary Learning

eruption
A sudden violent outburst of volcanic activity.
Example:The eruption sent ash clouds high into the sky.
ash cloud
A cloud of fine volcanic ash suspended in the air.
Example:The ash cloud made it difficult to breathe for hikers.
official
Authorized or recognized by an authority.
Example:They followed the official safety rules to avoid danger.
safety rules
Guidelines designed to protect people from harm.
Example:The park had strict safety rules for climbers.
evacuated
Moved people from a dangerous area to safety.
Example:The authorities evacuated 17 hikers before the volcano erupted.
survivors
People who live through a dangerous event.
Example:The survivors were treated for minor burns.
minor burns
Small, superficial skin injuries caused by heat.
Example:Ten of the survivors suffered minor burns on their arms.
Ministry
A government department responsible for a particular area.
Example:The Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement.
identified
Named or recognized.
Example:The ministry identified the missing hikers.
staff
Employees or personnel working for an organization.
Example:More than 100 staff members were involved in rescue efforts.
drones
Unmanned aircraft used for surveillance.
Example:Rescue teams used drones to survey the crater.
crater
A bowl-shaped depression at the summit of a volcano.
Example:The body was found near the crater edge.
terrain
The physical features of a particular area of land.
Example:The dangerous terrain made it hard to reach the survivors.
floods
An overflow of water covering land.
Example:Floods added to the difficulty of the rescue mission.
exclusion zone
An area where entry is prohibited for safety.
Example:A four-kilometer exclusion zone was established around the volcano.
closed
Shut off or not open for access.
Example:All hiking paths were officially closed.
legal penalties
Punishments imposed by law.
Example:People who ignore restrictions may face legal penalties.
unstable
Not steady or reliable, prone to change.
Example:The volcano remained unstable, causing concern.
conditions
Circumstances or states affecting an event.
Example:The dangerous conditions made rescue difficult.