Bali Tourist Group Struck By Landslide Near Popular Rafting Area

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A group of domestic and international tourists were caught in a landslide at a popular rafting spot in Payangan on Thursday afternoon (25/11).

The Head of Payangan Police Department, AKP I Putu Ady Wijaya confirmed that a group of tourists who have been identified as Martin Indrawijaya (aged 42), Finna Lianty (aged 38), Nuryanti (aged 36), Julius Hans Wijaya (aged 10), Marvel Sanjaya (aged 8) from Tangerang, Banten and a Swedish national named Cleas Henry Jinback (aged 55) were struck by a landslide at one of the popular rafting areas in Payangan, Gianyar.

Prior to the incident this group of tourists had planned to raft the Ayung River that is located in Payangan on Thursday afternoon at around 12:00pm. After walking down 500 steps to the starting point, they decided to cancel their plan as the pouring rain made the current too strong for rafting. Shortly after starting to climb the hill to return around 2:00pm, the unstable ground began crumbling and collapsed beneath them.

Jinback, Martin and his wife, Finna who were in front of their children (Julius and Marvel) realized the potential danger, they immediately jumped to a safer area, while the rest of them were caught in the landslide. “During the evacuation, Julius and Nuryati were already lifeless when we found them, while the other victim, Marvel hasn’t been found.” AKP Ady WIjaya said on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile the Head of Bali Search and Rescue (Basarnas), Gede Darmada confirmed that he immediately deployed a rescue team after receiving a report about the incident from one of the relatives of the victims at 2:55pm. Darmada was forced to stop the search due to poor weather conditions and relaunched the search this morning.