SINGAPORE, May 10  — Seven Singaporean hikers evacuated from Mount Dukono will travel home today, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). 

In a statement, MFA said officers from the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta are presently at Mount Dukono, North Halmahera, working with the Indonesian authorities on the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) operations for two missing Singaporeans.

At the same time, they are also working with Indonesian authorities to facilitate the return of the affected group to Singapore.

“The MFA expresses its deep appreciation for the ongoing efforts of local authorities in North Halmahera, where the SAR operations continue under highly challenging conditions,” it said yesterday. 

Mount Dukono, located on the northern part of Halmahera island in North Maluku province erupted on Friday morning.

Three individuals including two Singaporeans went missing during the eruption, while 17 hikers comprising seven Singaporeans and 10 Indonesians were evacuated. — Bernama