Indonesia volcano eruption: 2 S'porean hikers reported dead

Two Singaporean hikers have reportedly died after the volcanic eruption at Mount Dukono in Indonesia.

The deaths were reported by people who were with the hikers, BBC reported Erlichson Pasaribu, the police chief of North Halmahera, as saying.

Officials have yet to confirm the deaths, however, BBC said.

The BBC added that there are other injuries, with many believed to be tourists.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with rescuers still making their way to the 20 hikers trapped on the volcano. At least nine are from Singapore.

Reuters reported that the active volcano located in North Maluku province erupted ​at 7:41 am local time on May 8.

According to Indonesia's volcanology agency, the volcano spewed volcanic ash as high as 10km into the sky.

Another person, a local resident from Ternate, has also died, Pasaribu confirmed to reporters, BBC reported.