Singapore’s Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, extended heartfelt condolences for the lives lost during the recent Mount Dukono eruption in North Maluku. Speaking at a bilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono at the Pancasila Building, home to Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta, on Monday, May 12, Minister Balakrishnan confirmed that three individuals perished in the incident on May 8. Among the victims were one Indonesian citizen and two Singaporean nationals. “We convey our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims,” he stated.
During the same meeting, Minister Balakrishnan also expressed profound gratitude to the joint Indonesian Search and Rescue (SAR) team for their tireless efforts in locating and evacuating victims from Mount Dukono. He highlighted the extraordinary dedication of over 150 professional Indonesian SAR personnel who bravely conducted operations amidst highly challenging conditions, including the ongoing volcanic eruption and severe weather. “More than 150 professional Indonesian SAR personnel took great risks for themselves in a very difficult situation,” he remarked, acknowledging their immense courage. He further noted that the people of Singapore closely followed the developments of the search operation and offered their prayers for the safety of the Indonesian SAR team.
Minister Balakrishnan underscored the deep bond between the two nations, stating, “The spirit of looking out for and protecting each other in times of crisis truly reflects the closeness of heart between the people of Indonesia and Singapore.” He extended his sincere thanks to the Indonesian government and the SAR team in North Maluku for their dedicated search efforts. Emphasizing the invaluable nature of such cooperation, he added, “Something like this cannot be paid for or demanded. This can only happen because of the strong relationship between our two countries.” He concluded by conveying the gratitude of the Singaporean people through his Indonesian counterpart, “We want to convey the appreciation of Singaporean citizens through you, my brother, Mr. Sugiono. Thank many.”
The Mount Dukono eruption, which occurred on Friday, May 8, was a powerful event, spewing volcanic ash up to 10 kilometers into the sky. On the third day of the intensive search operation, the joint SAR team successfully located the two missing Singaporean citizens: Heng Wen Qiang Timothy, 30, and Shahin Muhrez Bin Abdul Hamid, 27. Their bodies were discovered approximately 20 meters from the rim of Mount Dukono‘s crater and subsequently transported to Tobelo Regional Hospital for identification.
Summary
Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan expressed deep condolences to the families of victims following the Mount Dukono eruption in North Maluku. The incident on May 8 claimed the lives of three individuals, including one Indonesian citizen and two Singaporean nationals. The powerful eruption sent volcanic ash up to 10 kilometers into the sky, creating extremely challenging conditions for rescue operations.
Minister Balakrishnan also extended his gratitude to the Indonesian Search and Rescue team for their dedicated work in recovering the victims near the crater rim. More than 150 personnel conducted the search amidst ongoing volcanic activity and severe weather. This cooperation highlights the strong bond and mutual support between Indonesia and Singapore during times of crisis.