On the Indonesian island of Halmahera, in the North Maluku province, the volcano Dukono erupted this morning, May 8. The explosion sent ash and sediment up to 10 kilometres into the sky. So far three deaths have been confirmed - two foreign nationals and one local resident, five injured, and around 20 climbers are considered missing. Among them - nine tourists and nine Singaporean nationals.

Dukono is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia and has long been under monitoring. But even when you know it sleeps uneasily, every eruption is a surprise - especially for those who decided to climb to the summit. According to local services, an access ban was in force before the explosion, which means several expeditions ignored the warnings. That is a standard scenario in the tourism sector - natural wonders most attract precisely those who want to see danger from up close.

Rescue teams are searching the terrain, but conditions are tough. Ash and gases limit visibility, the temperature of the lava complicates operations, and some of the missing have been stranded at altitudes without cover. "The volcano erupted at 7:40 local time in North Halmahera. According to information so far, two foreigners have died," rescuers said.

For the Balkans this might sound far away, but in the digital era it is our problem too. Balkan tourists who pick Bali and Langkawi as wishlist destinations rarely study all the volcanoes in the neighbourhood. Indonesia is home to more than 130 active volcanoes - more than any other country in the world. When you set off on a trip there, nature is not just a postcard. It is also a permanent risk - one that travel agencies do not advertise.