Indonesian urges safer hiking after tourist death on Mount Rinjanil; Malaysian hiker rescued after suffering injury at same mountain
In this undated photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, a rescuer climbs down the ridge of Mount Rinjani during the evacuation operation for Juliana Marins, a Brazilian tourist who fell while hiking near the volcano's summit, in Lombok, Indonesia. -- BASARNAS via AP
JAKARTA (Bernama): Indonesia's Tourism Ministry has urged visitors to Mount Rinjani National Park in West Nusa Tenggara to use only licensed operators and certified guides when undertaking extreme activities such as hiking.
The appeal follows the death of Brazilian tourist Juliana Marins, 26, who fell while trekking in the park on June 21. Her body was found four days later at a depth of around 600 metres, but poor weather and difficult terrain delayed recovery efforts until June 25.
Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana has called on all visitors to strictly observe safety protocols and avoid venturing off designated trails.
"Report any breaches of standard operating procedures immediately via WhatsApp at +62 811-895-6767,' she said in a statement, adding that tourist safety is a shared responsibility.
The minister described the incident as a tragic reminder of the serious risks associated with extreme tourism, and said it should serve as a turning point in the enforcement of safety standards.
"This incident reminds us that every extreme tourism destination carries significant risk,' she added.
The fatal fall comes just weeks after a Malaysian climber died on the same mountain in early May after plunging roughly 80 metres into a ravine.
Meanwhile, A Malaysian hiker was rescued after slipping and sustaining injuries while trekking to Danau Segara Anak on Mount Rinjani, located in Indonesia's West Nusa Tenggara province, officials said on Saturday.
The incident occurred at 3.20 pm local time on Friday, when a local guide alerted the Sembalun Resort about the injured foreign national, identified as Nazli Awan Mahat.
Mount Rinjani National Park Authority (BTNGR) head Yarman said the hiker was successfully evacuated on Saturday and brought to the Sembalun Community Health Centre at 8.30 am.
"The hiker's condition was stable and he was able to carry out normal activities," he said in a statement.
Rescue efforts began at 3.22 pm local time on Friday, involving an eight-member evacuation team comprising medical personnel from the Emergency Mountain Health Centre.
Mount Rinjani, an active volcano standing 3,726 metres above sea level, is one of Indonesia's most popular hiking destinations, attracting thousands of adventurers each year.
The Sembalun Resort is part of the park's eastern management zone, overseeing forest conservation and tourism activities. - Bernama
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