The line between extreme adventure and avoidable tragedy is often drawn by a few kilometers of restricted airspace or a government warning. In the rugged terrain of North Maluku, that line proved fatal for three hikers when Mount Dukono erupted on May 8, claiming the lives of two Singaporeans and one Indonesian national.
The casualties were part of a 20-person expedition organized by a boutique travel agency called The Outside, which marketed the 11-day trek through the Indonesian province as “beginner-friendly.” While seven of the nine Singaporeans in the group returned home safely on May 10, the loss of their guide and two companions has sparked a critical conversation about the ethics of high-risk tourism and the enforcement of volcanic safety zones.
The recovery operation was a grueling two-day effort involving more than 150 personnel. The first victim, 28-year-old Indonesian hiker Angel Krishela Pradita, was located on May 9. The following day, rescuers discovered the bodies of 30-year-old Timothy Heng, the sole proprietor of The Outside and 27-year-old Shahin Muhrez Abdul Hamid. They were found buried under volcanic debris, lying side-by-side approximately 50 meters from the summit.
The Gap Between Marketing and Reality
For those who follow the “off-the-beaten-path” travel trend, The Outside represented a new wave of extreme curation. Incorporated in October 2024 and operated from a residential address, the agency specialized in jungle treks in Sumatra and high-altitude climbs in Nepal. Its promotional materials for the North Maluku trip, posted to Instagram, promised an encounter with three volcanoes, noting that two were “constantly erupting.”
However, the description of the trip as “beginner-friendly” stands in stark contrast to the geological reality of Mount Dukono. According to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Programme, Dukono has been in a state of near-constant eruption since 1933. In the world of volcanology, this classifies it as an active volcano—a peak that has erupted within the last 11,700 years—making it fundamentally different and far more dangerous than dormant or extinct peaks often used for recreational hiking.
The timing of the expedition was particularly precarious. Mount Dukono had been placed on a Level 2 alert status since March 29, signaling heightened volcanic unrest. Under this designation, all public activities within a 4km radius of the crater are strictly prohibited to prevent casualties from sudden pyroclastic flows or ash collapses.
A Timeline of Escalating Risk
The tragedy did not occur in a vacuum of information. Local authorities had been attempting to clear the mountain for weeks prior to the May 8 eruption. The following timeline outlines the warnings that preceded the fatal climb:
| Date | Action/Status | Restriction Level |
|---|---|---|
| March 29 | Level 2 Alert Issued | 4km exclusion zone established |
| April 17 | Initial Climbing Ban | Official ban on ascending the peak |
| May 8 | Fatal Eruption | Permanent closure of all entry points |
Permanent Closures and Legal Fallout
In the immediate aftermath of the eruption, the local government of North Halmahera moved from temporary bans to a permanent lockdown of the site. An urgent letter issued on May 8, seen by The Straits Times, instructed district and village heads to close all entry points to the volcano immediately.
The directive is absolute: no one is permitted to ascend the peak, and the issuance of climbing permits has been barred entirely. The government has further ordered all adventure agencies to disseminate these warnings to their clients, with a stern warning that any individual or organization found flouting these rules will face legal action.
This crackdown highlights a growing tension in Indonesia’s tourism sector, where the demand for “authentic” and “extreme” experiences sometimes outweighs the adherence to safety protocols. For Timothy Heng, the tragedy cut short a burgeoning career in adventure guiding; he was scheduled to lead a group up Kang Yatse, a 6,250-meter peak in Ladakh, India, shortly after the Indonesia trip.
Understanding Volcanic Risk
To the casual hiker, the term “active volcano” may seem like a descriptor of excitement rather than a warning of danger. However, geologists emphasize a clear distinction in risk profiles:
- Active: Erupted within the last 11,700 years; capable of erupting at any time.
- Dormant: Has not erupted in the current epoch but retains an active magma chamber.
- Extinct: Entirely cut off from magma supply; generally considered the safest for recreation.
Mount Dukono’s status as a continuously erupting peak meant that the risk was not a possibility, but a constant. The May 8 event was preceded by another major recorded eruption in April, suggesting a period of intense instability that should have served as a definitive deterrent for any “beginner-friendly” excursion.
As the families of the deceased grieve, the focus now shifts to the accountability of travel operators who lead clients into restricted zones. The North Halmahera government is expected to maintain the permanent closure of Mount Dukono indefinitely, with local officials increasing patrols at known entry points to ensure no further unauthorized ascents occur.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a sudden loss or is struggling with grief, support is available through international crisis helplines and mental health services.
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