Indonesia volcano eruption: 2 S'poreans located near crater rim, family says no confirmation of any deaths from MFA

The sister of one of the two Singaporeans who remain missing after the eruption of Mount Dukono in Indonesia shared with Mothership that they have yet to receive any confirmation of death from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Indonesia's search and rescue agency updated on May 9 that the two Singaporeans, who are feared dead, have been located near the volcano's crater rim.

The volcano erupted on May 8, trapping 20 hikers.

This included nine Singaporeans, seven of whom have been located and safely rescued.

Earlier reports suggested that two of the nine have died.

The other 11 individuals are Indonesians.

Two Singaporeans located

Erlichson Pasaribu, the police chief of North Halmahera, said that two Singaporean males, aged 27 and 30, and one Indonesian remained on the volcano.

In an update on May 9, head of Indonesia's rescue agency Iwan Ramdani told Reuters that the two Singaporeans have been located.

It was unclear whether they were alive.

"We have identified the coordinates of their locations. It's around the crater rim," Iwan was quoted as saying.

"This is on drone surveillance and is consistent with eyewitness accounts," he added.

Disaster mitigation agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said that both of them appeared to be 20 to 30 metres from the rim of the main crater.

Although their locations have been identified, the two remain missing.

Indonesian authorities have also confirmed the death of one of the three, and the victim is believed to be the Indonesian national, reported CNA.

Rescuers are currently in the midst of recovering the body.

Yet to receive confirmation of death: Family

When Shin Min Daily News visited the family of the missing 30-year-old Singaporean, his parents confirmed that their son was in Indonesia, but did not wish to comment further.

His sister told Mothership that they have yet to receive any confirmation of death from Singapore's MFA and similarly declined to comment further.

MFA and the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta are working closely with the Indonesian authorities to gather the relevant information, and render consular assistance and support to the affected Singaporeans and their families, MFA previously told Mothership in a statement.

Seven Singaporeans safe

Indonesia's search and rescue officials said that 17 of the 20 climbers were safely evacuated by Friday evening, CNN reported.

Shin Min wrote that, of these 17, seven were Singaporeans.

There were five females and two males aged 29 to 37.

"We received a call for help at 9am yesterday (May 8) and quickly sent a rescue team. We rescued 17 people. However, due to bad weather and volcanic activity, we had to pause the rescue operations," Erlichson said.

As of May 9 morning, the seven of them are safe and have departed for the nearby town of Sofifi after undergoing medical examinations, a spokesperson for the local search and rescue agency told Shin Min.

Officers from the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta will be meeting with them in the town.

Indonesia's volcanology agency is maintaining the third-highest alert level for Mount Dukono and advised residents and tourists to avoid activities with 4km of the crater, Reuters wrote.