20 hikers, including 9 S'poreans, trapped after Indonesian volcano erupts, rescue efforts underway

Indonesian authorities are racing to rescue 20 hikers, including nine Singaporeans, after Mount Dukono on Halmahera island erupted on May 8.

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

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

Alert status at third-highest level

The alert status at the mountain was maintained at the agency's third-highest level, said agency head Lana Saria in a statement.

The head of the local rescue agency, Iwan Ramdani, told Reuters that they deployed dozens of personnel, including police, to search for the hikers.

Iwan said that nine of the ​hikers are ⁠Singaporean and the rest are Indonesians.

Residents were warned to refrain from any activities within 4km of the crater.

The agency also said there is a risk of volcanic mudflow ⁠if it rains.

According to Reuters, there are no reports of flight disruptions caused by the explosion.