Brazilian hiker's family criticises speed of Indonesia rescue effort
Attempts to evacuate her were hindered by challenging weather and terrain after authorities spotted her unmoving body with a drone. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
JAKARTA - The family of a Brazilian hiker found dead in Indonesia days after a fall climbing a volcano have criticised the rescue effort as too slow, before authorities carry out an autopsy on June 26 to find out the time of her death.
Ms Juliana Marins, 26, went missing on June 21 at Indonesia's second-largest volcano, Mount Rinjani, located on Lombok island.
Attempts to evacuate her were hindered by challenging weather and terrain after authorities spotted her unmoving body with a drone.
Rescuers finally reached her body on the evening of June 24 after a days-long effort and evacuated her a day later.
Her family has claimed Ms Marins could have been saved if she was reached within hours rather than days.
'Juliana suffered severe neglect by the rescue team. Juliana would still be alive if the team had gotten to her within the estimated time of 7 hours,' her family wrote late on June 25 on an Instagram account that has amassed over one million followers.
'Juliana deserved so much more! Now we are going after justice for her, because it's what she deserves.'
In a social media post on June 26 , her family thanked 'the volunteers who bravely' helped to finally retrieve her body.
Head of Indonesia's rescue agency Mohammad Syafii said on the evening of June 25 he had met with Ms Marins's family to explain the challenges and said they 'could accept the situation we were facing'.
Indonesian authorities said her body would be taken to neighbouring island Bali on June 26 for an autopsy to establish the cause and time of death.
'Now the autopsy will be carried out in Bali. We looked for the closest option, which is Denpasar,' Indah Dhamayanti Putri, deputy governor of West Nusa Tenggara province, told reporters on June 26 , referring to Bali's capital.
'They want to know the time of death.'
Initial reports that Ms Marins was heard screaming after falling sparked speculation that she was alive hours after the accident.
But a drone spotted her not moving on June 23 and local officials said the evacuation effort was delayed by steep terrain and bad weather.
The case caught nationwide attention in Brazil with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva posting on social media that he had received the news of Ms Marins's death 'with great sadness'.
Lombok is a tourist destination known for its idyllic beaches and lush greenery, and many try to climb Mount Rinjani for its panoramic views. AFP
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