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In a dramatic turn of events, a government-operated drone has captured harrowing footage of a group of unauthorized climbers scrambling for safety as Mount Dukono erupted on August 17. The breathtaking video highlights the peril faced by adventurers who ignored strict safety warnings and ventured into the danger zone of the volatile volcano in North Halmahera, Indonesia.
Despite Mount Dukono being on LEVEL II (ALERT) status, which indicates increased volcanic activity, the climbers made the risky decision to ascend the mountain, defying a 3-kilometer (1.8-mile) safety exclusion zone. As the volcano began erupting, spewing ash and volcanic gases high into the sky, the group found themselves in a life-threatening situation.
The footage, captured by the drone, shows the climbers nearing the summit of the volcano just as a massive cloud of ash rolls toward them. In a desperate bid to escape, the climbers are seen sliding and rappelling down the steep, treacherous slopes of Mount Dukono. Their swift descent, captured in the video, reveals the intense urgency of their escape as they navigate the dangerous terrain.
Miraculously, all the climbers survived the incident without injury. The close call underscores the extreme risks associated with venturing into hazardous areas around active volcanoes. The climbers’ decision to ignore the warnings highlights the persistent challenge of ensuring safety in such volatile environments.
The Indonesian National Disaster Agency had previously issued stern warnings against climbing Mount Dukono, which has been erupting intermittently since the 1930s. Priatin Hadi Wijaya, head of the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, reiterated the cautionary message, urging the public to stay away from the volcano due to ongoing high levels of volcanic activity. Authorities had set a safety perimeter of approximately 2 miles around the crater to protect against the dangers posed by the active volcano.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of heeding safety warnings and respecting exclusion zones to prevent potentially deadly encounters with active volcanic activity.
