SINGAPORE, May 9 — Singapore is working with Indonesia to provide assistance and support to Singaporeans affected by the eruption of Mount Dukono, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs 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 reportedly said.

Three hikers, including two Singaporeans, were reported dead after Mount Dukono erupted on Indonesia’s eastern Halmahera island.

The volcano, located in North Maluku province, erupted at 7.41am local time (6.41am Singapore time) yesterday, sending a plume of ash and smoke up to 10km into the air.

“There are three dead, two foreigners and one resident of Ternate island in eastern Indonesia,” North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu told Kompas TV.

The number of Singaporeans affected was not disclosed by MFA, but Indonesian authorities said 20 people were caught in the eruption, with three still missing.

Mount Dukono is currently at level two on Indonesia’s four-tier volcanic alert system.

The area had been closed to visitors since April 17 after scientists recorded increased volcanic activity.

The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) had earlier advised tourists and climbers to stay at least four kilometres away from the volcano’s Malupang Warirang crater due to heightened activity.

JAKARTA, May 8 — ‌Indonesian authorities are rushing to rescue 20 hikers after the eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera ‌island today, a local rescue agency official told Reuters.

Mount Dukono, located in North Maluku province, erupted today at 7.41am local time (1041 GMT yesterday/6.41am Malaysian time), spewing volcanic ash as high as 10km into the sky, the country’s volcanology agency said.

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

Iwan Ramdani, the head of the local rescue agency, told Reuters that they ⁠have deployed dozens of personnel, including police, to search for the 20 hikers trapped by the eruption.

Nine of the hikers are Singaporean and ⁠the rest are Indonesians, Iwan said.

Authorities warned residents to refrain from any activities within ⁠4km of the crater.

The volcanology ⁠agency ⁠also warned of the risks of volcanic mudflow when it rains.

There are not yet ‌any reports of flight disruptions caused by the eruption. — Reuters