(Singapore, 10th) Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Saturday (May 9) that officials from the Singapore Embassy in Indonesia have arrived at the site of Mount Dukono in North Halmahera Regency, Indonesia, to fully assist Indonesian authorities in the search and rescue operation for two missing Singaporeans, and to help the other seven surviving Singaporeans return home.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a release that, among the nine Singaporeans previously affected by the eruption of Mount Dukono, the seven who have been rescued are now on their way to Jakarta. According to the plans, they will return to Singapore on Sunday (10th).
At the same time, embassy officials are stationed at the scene, maintaining close communication with relevant Indonesian search and rescue agencies, and continuously following up on the progress in searching for the remaining two missing Singaporeans.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the local authorities in North Halmahera Regency, Indonesia. The ministry noted in its statement that rescue teams are currently operating “under extremely challenging conditions.”
Mount Dukono erupted violently on Friday (8th), followed by frequent volcanic activity, and together with the treacherous terrain, the search and rescue operations have faced numerous obstacles. Earlier reports indicated that Indonesian search and rescue authorities’ drones had located the coordinates of the two missing Singaporeans at the rim of the volcano, but the high-risk environment on site has so far prevented rescue personnel from approaching.
According to AFP, search and rescue authorities found one missing Indonesian citizen on Saturday afternoon, and confirmed that she has died. Rescue workers transported her body down the mountain that day. Due to rainfall around the volcano and the effects of volcanic ash, search and rescue work has been suspended and will resume on Sunday.
At the same time, embassy officials are stationed at the scene, maintaining close communication with relevant Indonesian search and rescue agencies, and continuously following up on the progress in searching for the remaining two missing Singaporeans.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the local authorities in North Halmahera Regency, Indonesia. The ministry noted in its statement that rescue teams are currently operating “under extremely challenging conditions.”
Mount Dukono erupted violently on Friday (8th), followed by frequent volcanic activity, and together with the treacherous terrain, the search and rescue operations have faced numerous obstacles. Earlier reports indicated that Indonesian search and rescue authorities’ drones had located the coordinates of the two missing Singaporeans at the rim of the volcano, but the high-risk environment on site has so far prevented rescue personnel from approaching.
According to AFP, search and rescue authorities found one missing Indonesian citizen on Saturday afternoon, and confirmed that she has died. Rescue workers transported her body down the mountain that day. Due to rainfall around the volcano and the effects of volcanic ash, search and rescue work has been suspended and will resume on Sunday.