An Indonesian hiking guide says he feels responsible after a tour group visiting an active volcano turned deadly when an eruption at Mount Dukono killed three hikers earlier this month, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
The incident happened on May 8 at Mount Dukono on Halmahera Island in Indonesia’s North Maluku Province. Authorities said the volcano suddenly erupted as a group of 20 hikers reached the summit area near the crater.
The group included nine Singaporeans, three Indonesians, and eight guides and porters.
At least 3 killed after Mount Dukono erupted in Halmahera #Indonesia [2]
4/7#MountDukono [3] #Asia [4] #Halmahera [5] #Volcano [6] #Eruption [7] #Erupsi [8] #Seismic [9] #Viral [10] pic.twitter.com/qZBT2ym5BW [11]
— Earth42morrow (@Earth42morrow) May 14, 2026 [12]
Three people were killed during the eruption, including Singaporean hikers Timothy Heng, 30, and Shahin Muhrez bin Abdul Hamid, 27, along with Indonesian national Angel Krishela Pradita.
Guide Reza Selang told news.com.au he was operating a drone near the crater when the volcano suddenly erupted without warning.
“I was the person responsible for the trip, so I feel like I failed. I failed to bring them home safely,” Reza said.
According to Reza, Mount Dukono suddenly began spewing rocks, ash, and debris high into the air.
3 tourists died filming the volcano erupting in Indonesia after ignoring an official government ban on the area.
Someone caught the moment on camera. “Oh my god, they died.”
The volcano doesn’t care about your follower count.pic.twitter.com/2F0CmAgM0f [13] https://t.co/5T3uJtz5xY [14]
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 9, 2026 [15]
“I immediately knew it was an extremely dangerous situation, and I kept operating the drone so that I could see what was happening. From the drone footage, I saw that someone had collapsed close to the crater,” he said.
Reza said he ran toward the summit as Timothy Heng rushed back uphill after realizing Shahin Muhrez bin Abdul Hamid had collapsed near the crater.
“Timothy got to Shahin before me and started doing CPR and was able to revive him,” Reza said.
Reza said he and Timothy attempted to carry Shahin away from the danger area before another large projectile was ejected from the volcano.
“Then a giant boulder fell on them,” Reza said.
“The boulder was so big that it covered them completely. I knew at that moment there was nothing I could do. I knew it was hopeless.”
Reza also described Timothy attempting to protect his friend during the eruption.
Tourists filmed the moment of the #Dukono [16] #volcano [17] eruption, being on the edge of the crater. Later, at least 3 people died and 20 were missing as a result of a powerful ash release.
A strong eruption began this morning on #Halmachera [18] Island in #Indonesia [2] – 10 km column of ash. pic.twitter.com/UlZsDiSkHm [19]— Tesla Dogs (@TeslaDogs) May 8, 2026 [20]
“He grabbed Shahin in his arms and hugged him tight, trying to cover his body and protect him,” Reza said.
Authorities later recovered the victims’ bodies from the mountain. Timothy and Shahin were reportedly found still holding each other.
Indonesian officials said Mount Dukono had erupted more than 200 times since March, and climbing permits had been suspended beginning April 17.
Authorities also said the public had been banned from approaching within four kilometers of the crater.
Reza said he was unaware of those restrictions before leading the tour.
Police in Indonesia have since questioned Reza as part of an investigation into whether negligence contributed to the deaths. Authorities said arrests remain possible, though no charges have been filed.
“He was such a nice person and a strong leader. He was also a great friend. He protected Shahin right until the end. Until it was all over,” Reza said of Timothy Heng.