A heartbreaking search operation on Indonesia’s Mount Dukono has ended in tragedy after rescuers discovered the bodies of two missing hikers reportedly holding each other beneath volcanic debris following a sudden eruption near the crater. The emotional discovery has drawn international attention as authorities confirmed the deaths of two Singaporean nationals and an Indonesian woman after the volcano erupted on Halmahera island.

According to Indonesian rescue officials, Heng Wen Qiang Timothy, 30, and Shahin Muhrez bin Abdul Hamid, 27, were found beneath rock debris near the crater area after disappearing during the eruption of Mount Dukono on Friday.

Rescue teams reportedly discovered the men’s bodies close together in an area heavily impacted by falling volcanic material. Officials involved in the operation described the scene as deeply emotional, with reports stating the hikers appeared to have been holding onto one another when they died during the eruption.

Authorities said the search effort lasted more than a day and involved approximately 150 rescue personnel working under extremely dangerous conditions. Search crews used thermal drones and specialized equipment while navigating steep volcanic terrain, unstable ground, heavy rainfall, and continuing volcanic activity surrounding the crater.

Local rescue agency chief Iwan Ramdani said the operation was made especially difficult because teams were forced to work in a high-risk zone roughly 350 to 500 feet from the crater rim. Officials described the area as extremely dangerous due to falling rocks, volcanic ash, and the possibility of additional eruptions or ground collapse during the search.

Mount Dukono, located in Indonesia’s North Maluku province near the Pacific Ocean, erupted violently on Friday, sending ash reportedly as high as 10 kilometers above the summit. Indonesian authorities quickly issued warnings surrounding the active volcano as volcanic material spread across surrounding areas.

The eruption ultimately claimed three lives. In addition to the two Singaporean hikers, officials confirmed the death of an Indonesian woman identified only as Enjel. Rescue crews discovered her body on Saturday near the edge of the crater alongside her backpack.

Volcanic eruptions remain a major natural hazard throughout Indonesia, which sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the world’s most active seismic and volcanic regions. The country contains more active volcanoes than almost anywhere else on Earth, with eruptions, earthquakes, and landslides posing ongoing risks to residents and visitors alike.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed exactly how the hikers became trapped near the crater during the eruption, though officials indicated the victims were located inside an area considered highly vulnerable to falling debris and unstable volcanic conditions. Experts note that eruptions can escalate rapidly with little warning, especially around active crater zones where volcanic rock, ash clouds, and toxic gases can become deadly within moments.

The emotional details surrounding the discovery of the two Singaporean hikers have deeply affected people across social media, where many users expressed heartbreak over reports that the pair were found embracing beneath the debris. Others praised the efforts of rescue crews who risked dangerous volcanic conditions to recover the victims and complete the search operation.

Travel safety experts say volcano tourism has grown increasingly popular worldwide, particularly in Indonesia, where active volcanoes attract hikers and adventure travelers from around the globe. However, specialists warn that volcanic environments remain highly unpredictable even when official monitoring systems are in place.

Indonesian authorities confirmed that the recovery mission has now officially concluded. Meanwhile, tributes for the victims continue emerging online as loved ones and communities mourn the lives lost during the disaster.

For many people following the tragedy, the most haunting image remains the final discovery made by rescuers high on the slopes of Mount Dukono — two hikers reportedly holding onto each other beneath the volcanic debris as the deadly eruption unfolded around them.