RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has announced that all victims previously reported missing following the eruption of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera, North Maluku, have been located. With this development, the Search and Rescue (SAR) operation was officially terminated on Sunday, May 10, 2026.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, conveyed that the joint SAR team recently recovered the body of an Indonesian woman, identified by the initial E. The discovery of the final two victims confirmed that everyone reported missing has been accounted for.

“With all victims now located, the SAR operation for the Mount Dukono eruption is officially declared closed,” confirmed Abdul Muhari on Sunday.

The last two victims recovered were identified as HWQT (30) and SMBAH (27), both male foreign nationals. Following their recovery, the remains were evacuated to the eruption emergency response post before being transferred to Tobelo Regional General Hospital.

The third day of the search was more targeted, as the team utilized GPS coordinates from previous operations to mark suspected locations where victims might be buried under volcanic ash and debris. However, the evacuation process faced challenges due to the significant thickness of the volcanic material covering the victims.

Furthermore, Mount Dukono’s fluctuating eruptive activity necessitated extreme caution to ensure the safety of the personnel. On the final day of the operation, 98 joint SAR personnel were deployed, divided into four specialized teams.

The multi-agency effort included Basarnas, the North Halmahera Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian Army, the Indonesian Navy, and the Water and Air Police (Polairud). They were supported by the Regional Mobile Brigade (Brimobda), the Gosowong Emergency Response Team (ERT), the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), and local community members.

In addition to the three fatalities, 15 individuals were rescued alive. The survivors include seven Singaporean nationals by the initial TYME (30), OSS (37), PL (33), LHEI (31), TJYG (30), LYXV (30), and LSD (29). There are also eight Indonesian citizens by the initial BB (24), YL (23), S (26), A (22), H (26), FN (27), RI (29), and SJ (48).

During the operation, two survivors, identified as RS and JA, assisted the SAR team by providing critical information regarding climbing routes and the last known locations of the victims before the emergency unfolded. (Annaila Azzahra/EN)