The head of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, Iwan Ramdani, said the coordinates of the missing individuals were identified near the rim of the volcanic crater. He added that drone surveillance confirmed their position and matched eyewitness accounts.

A spokesperson for the disaster mitigation agency, Abdul Muhari, said both individuals were found approximately 20 to 30 metres from the edge of the main crater.

Rescue teams are still searching for an Indonesian national who went missing after the volcano in North Maluku province began erupting on Friday, sending ash up to 10 kilometres into the sky.

Police said survivors told investigators that all three missing hikers had died, according to police chief Erlichson Pasaribu.

More than 100 rescuers, including military and police personnel, along with two thermal drones, have been deployed. Search efforts are concentrated around the crater within a 700-metre radius.

Evacuations have been complicated by extreme terrain and ongoing eruptions. On Friday, authorities evacuated 17 people, including seven Singaporeans and ten Indonesians.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassy in Jakarta said they are working with Indonesian authorities to gather information and provide consular assistance to affected citizens and their families.

Police have also launched an investigation into a tour company that organized the hike for 20 participants, on suspicion of negligence that may have endangered lives. Six individuals have been questioned so far, though no arrests have been made.

Authorities noted that climbing Mount Dukono has been prohibited since 2024 due to volcanic activity, and all hiking activities were officially banned again in April following increased eruptions.

Indonesia’s volcanology agency has maintained the volcano at the third-highest alert level and warned the public to stay at least 4 kilometres away from the crater.

No flight disruptions have been reported so far.

Indonesia lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a highly active seismic zone known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.