“The two victims were found at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT) at coordinates 1°42'9.90"N / 127°52'48.50"E, approximately 13 meters north of where the National Search and Rescue Agency's Command Center first picked up an emergency signal,” Ternate SAR Office Head Iwan Ramdani said.
He explained in Ternate, North Maluku, on Sunday that the deceased were found at the same spot.
“The victims were found huddled together, pinned under a large boulder,” he said.
In addition to the two Singaporean nationals, the SAR team previously recovered the body of an Indonesian climber on Saturday.
Following the discovery, the joint SAR team recovered the bodies from the crater rim of Mount Dukono to the main command post in Mamuya Village.
The process was carried out in heavy rain condition and across high-risk terrain.
“The body bags arrived at the Mamuya Village command post at 5:43 p.m. WIT, and the victims were subsequently transported to the Tobelo Regional Public Hospital (RSUD) for autopsy,” he remarked.
Ramdani expressed his appreciation for all personnel involved in the search and rescue operation, noting that they performed their duties to the fullest despite foul weather and the ongoing threat of the volcanic activity.
With all missing persons discovered, the SAR operation has been officially closed.
Earlier on May 8, 2026, the Ternate SAR Office received information from the National Search and Rescue Agency's Command Center regarding an emergency SOS signal transmitted from a satellite messaging device at coordinates 1°42'13.7"N 127°52'50.2"E in the Mount Dukono area.
The report was later confirmed by the Mamuya Village Head, who stated that several climbers had sustained injuries during the eruption.
The village government then requested SAR assistance to carry out an evacuation.
Related news: All victims of the Mount Dukono eruption have been found: BNPB
Translator: Ode Dedy, Raka Adji
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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