Bodies of 2 S’porean hikers killed by eruption of Mount Dukono in Indonesia found

MFA working to identify bodies of 2 Singaporean hikers killed by eruption of Mount Dukono

The bodies of two Singaporean hikers killed by the eruption of Mount Dukono in Indonesia have been found, said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a statement on Sunday (10 May).

MFA is working to formally identify the bodies, it added.

Singaporean hikers found crushed by rock on Mount Dukono

In an Instagram post on Sunday, Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) said that the two Singaporeans were found at 1pm local time (12 noonSingapore time).

Their bodies were found at the same location about 13m north of the first distress signal captured by Basarnas.

Mr Iwan Ramdani, head of the Ternate search and rescue office, said the bodies were huddled together and dismembered, having been crushed by a large rock.

Footage of the operation posted on X showed rescuers on a steep, mist-covered slope, digging a hole in the ash.

Bodies of hikers transported to local hospital

Mr Iwan noted that rescuers continued to work tirelessly despite the rainy weather and the risks involved.

They finally managed to recover the bodies and transported them to Tobelo Regional Hospital for autopsies.

With the recovery of the bodies, the search-and-rescue operation has concluded, he added.

MFA in contact with hikers’ families

Indonesian media outlets have identified the two deceased Singaporeans as Heng Wen Qiang Timothy, 30, and Shahin Muhrez Abdul Hamid, 27.

MFA said the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta is working closely with the Indonesian authorities in Tobelo to formally identify the two bodies.

MFA is also in close contact with their families to facilitate the identification, and will continue to provide them with consular assistance, it added,

MFA would like to express its deep appreciation to the Indonesian authorities, particularly the search and rescue teams comprising more than 150 personnel, for their efforts under very difficult and hazardous conditions.

Singaporean hikers were part of group that set off on Mount Dukono

Mr Heng and Mr Shahin were two of three hikers who went missing when Mount Dukono erupted on Friday (8 May) morning.

The third missing hiker, an Indonesian woman named Angel, was found dead on Saturday (9 May).

They were among 20 hikers – comprising nine Singaporeans and 11 Indonesians – who set off on a trek near the volcano on Thursday (7 May).

However, according to the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia, tourists and climbers had been advised to refrain from activities within a 4km radius of Mount Dukono’s main crater due to threats of ejected rocks, ash, and lava since Dec 2024.

Surviving 7 S’porean hikers returning on 10 May

While initially believed to be dead, Basarnas later launched a search-and-rescue operation for them, with Singapore Embassy officers working with the Indonesian authorities on the operation, MFA said in a statement on Saturday.

MFA is also facilitating the return of the surviving seven Singaporean hikers in the group.

They are set to return to Singapore on Sunday.

Also read: 2 S’porean hikers dead & 9 missing after Mount Dukono eruption in Indonesia

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Featured image adapted from @NaraSenyap on X and X.