Guide Describes Fatal Eruption During Hike on Indonesian Volcano

The guide who led a group of tourists up Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island in Indonesia’s North Maluku Province has spoken about the May 8 eruption that killed three hikers. au he felt responsible for the outcome. "I was the person responsible for the trip, so I feel like I failed.

I failed to bring them home safely," he said. The group consisted of nine people from Singapore, three Indonesians, and eight guides and porters. They reached the summit of the active volcano on the morning of May 8 when the eruption began. The guide said he was operating a drone near the crater lip when the volcano erupted without warning, ejecting rocks, ash and debris.

He continued filming briefly with the drone to observe the situation before shutting it off and running toward the summit. One hiker who had started descending turned back upon realizing his partner remained on the slope. The guide said the first hiker reached the injured man first, performed CPR and revived him.

The two men then attempted to carry the semi-conscious hiker to safety, one by the shoulders and the other by the feet. The volcano continued ejecting large projectiles. A boulder struck the two men carrying the injured hiker, covering them completely.

The guide said he realized nothing more could be done and ran down the mountain, alerting the rest of the group to call police and the Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency. Rescuers later found another hiker dead on the mountain. It took several days to recover the bodies of the other two victims, who were found still holding each other.

Indonesian authorities stated that signs had been placed warning hikers not to summit Mount Dukono. Climbing permits have been banned since April 17, and the public has been barred from approaching within 4 kilometers of the crater. The volcano has erupted more than 200 times since March.

The guide said he had no knowledge of the warning signs and that visitors regularly hiked the mountain. He noted that such a violent eruption is rare. au that experienced guides monitor official announcements, rumbling sounds, gas odors, smoke color and wind direction.

He said immediate descent is not always the best action if it places hikers in the path of an ash cloud.

Police have questioned the guide and are investigating the incident. Authorities have said arrests could follow if negligence leading to death is established. No charges have been filed. au that volcanic eruptions can cause death through inhalation of hot air and airway swelling, toxic gases, burns from volcanic material or burial by debris.

He said all four factors may have occurred simultaneously in this case due to the eruption's intensity. High temperatures and hot debris also complicate medical response and autopsies, the doctor added, citing his prior experience with a victim from the Mount Merapi eruption.

The guide said he felt very guilty about the incident. He asked that one of the victims be remembered for attempting to protect his hiking partner until the end.