Indonesian authorities are searching for 20 missing hikers after the eruption of Mount Dukono on Halmahera island killed three people, including two foreigners.

Mount Dukono, an active volcano, erupted at 07:41 local time on Friday, spewing a column of ash up to 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) high, accompanied by “weak to strong booming sounds,” according to Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation.

Iwan Ramdani, head of the local rescue agency, told Reuters that dozens of personnel, including police, have been deployed to search for the 20 hikers trapped by the eruption. Ramdani said nine of the missing hikers are from Singapore.

Three hikers, including two foreigners, were killed, North Halmahera police chief Erlichson Pasaribu told Kompas TV, as reported by AFP. The area had been closed to visitors since April 17 after scientists observed increased volcanic activity.

Authorities have warned residents and tourists to stay 4 km (2.4 miles) from the Malupang Warirang crater, the center of activity. Ash distribution is leaning north, prompting a warning for Tobelo town residents about possible “volcanic ash rain.” Officials also warned of ejected rocks and potential lava flows. Mount Dukono is extremely active, with nearly 200 eruptions since March.

Source: www.aljazeera.com