According to government officials, nine Singaporeans are among the missing, and the explosion sent smoke and dust into the air for an area of about 10 kilometers.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
Twenty climbers are missing after Mount Dukono volcano erupted on Indonesia's eastern island of Halmahera. Officials said nine of the missing were Singaporeans, and the eruption sent a plume of ash into the air about 10 kilometers (6 miles) away. Rescue teams were deployed to rescue the victims, but officials said there was no immediate confirmation of the number of injured. Local rescue official Ivan Ramdani confirmed that the search for the 20 missing was underway.
The volcano has been closed to visitors since April 17 after scientists warned of increased volcanic activity in Indonesia, but all of the missing are believed to be climbers.
Lana Saria, head of Indonesia's geology department, said the eruption affected an area about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the summit of Mount Dukono in North Maluku province.
Ash from the eruption spread further north, prompting residents to exercise caution in the area, he said in a statement.
Indonesia is a vast archipelago nation and its geographical location is known to be prone to frequent seismic and volcanic activity. Mount Dukono is particularly vulnerable.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has been advising tourists and climbers to avoid coming within four kilometers of the volcano since last December.
