‘I want to kneel at the victims’ parents’ feet’: Indonesian guide who led S’poreans up Mount Dukono says he wants to apologise to hikers' families

The Indonesian guide who led a group of hikers up Mount Dukono has opened up about the eruption that killed three people, including two Singaporeans.

Shahin Muhrez Abdul Hamid, 27, and Heng Wen Qiang Timothy, 30, were killed when the volcano erupted on May 8.

Speaking to BBC News, guide Reza Selang said he was still struggling to process the incident.

“There are no words. Until now I still feel torn apart, I still can't believe it,” he said.

“Right now I am deeply devastated.”

Shahin had gotten married just six months earlier, while Heng was an expedition leader who had reportedly run back to help others during the eruption.

Guide says he did not know climbing was prohibited

According to BBC, Reza runs a tour company in North Maluku.

He'd been contacted last year by Heng to guide a group of Singaporean hikers up several mountains in the region, including Mount Dukono.

The group of 20 hikers, comprising Singaporeans and Indonesians, reportedly began climbing the volcano on May 8.

However, Indonesian authorities later said climbing permits for Mount Dukono had already been suspended since Apr. 17 due to heightened volcanic activity.

Authorities also said the public had been barred from entering within 4km of the crater.

Mount Dukono has erupted more than 200 times since late March.

Reza told BBC he was unaware of the climbing prohibition at the time.

He added that local villagers, whom he regularly employs to assist him in escorting groups up Dukono, also did not tell him anything about the prohibition.

Guide recounts desperate rescue attempt during eruption

Conditions initially appeared calm when the hikers reached the summit the next morning.

Reza said he even flew a drone over the crater, and did not observe visible volcanic activity.

He later allowed the hikers to approach the crater briefly on the condition that they descend soon after. Fourteen hikers, including Heng, continued upwards, while Reza and the remaining members stayed further below the summit.

At around 7:40am local time, he sent the drone up again to monitor the group near the crater.

“One minute later, the mountain erupted,” he said.

According to Reza, the first eruption mainly released smoke, but a second eruption followed seconds later and spewed volcanic material.

The hikers scattered and ran down the mountain.

Rocks falling

Using his drone camera, Reza spotted Shahin lying near the crater and ran up to rescue him.

Heng, who had initially escaped with the group, turned back to help as well, he recalled.

The two men then attempted to drag Shahin down the summit while “rocks were falling to our left and right,” Reza said.

But a large rock about 2m wide later soon bounced down from the crater towards them.

“Timothy turned back, and in only a split second he immediately hugged Shahin,” Reza said.

The rock reportedly crushed both men instantly.

Reza said he froze briefly, before fleeing down the mountain.

Stayed back to help with rescue

After his escape, he alerted authorities to the eruption, prompting a search-and-rescue operation for the two missing Singaporeans and Indonesian hiker Angel Krishela Pradita.

Reza and another team member also remained behind to assist in the search efforts.

Angel’s body was later found near the summit on May 9, while the remains of Heng and Shahin Muhrez were recovered the following day.

The surviving hikers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, and the remaining Singaporeans have since returned home, BBC reported.

Authorities investigating possible negligence

Indonesian authorities are now investigating the incident and have raised the possibility of negligence by tourism operators or individuals involved in organising the hike.

Police also questioned two individuals linked to Reza’s tour company, though they are currently considered witnesses.

Authorities have since permanently closed all entrances to Mount Dukono, and warned that anyone violating the climbing ban could face sanctions.

Reza said he has handed drone footage to investigators and acknowledged he may face legal consequences.

“Whatever legal consequences happen, I have to accept them,” he said.

“I feel very guilty toward the victims and their families.”

“I feel like I want to go to Singapore and kneel at the victims’ parents’ feet. I want to apologise.

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