Indonesian Government To Review Tourist Trekking Safety Following Tragic Death

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The Indonesian Government has pledged to review all trekking and hiking standards in the country following the death of a Brazilian tourist on Lombok’s Mount Rinjani.

The promise of a review comes after dozens of incidents over the last five years of tourists becoming lost, injured, and in tragic cases even dying on the country’s most famous peaks, including the likes of Mount Batur and Mount Agung in Bali. 

The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry and the National Search and Rescue Authority have pledged to conduct an immediate evaluation of the total standard operating procedures for mountaineering activities nationwide.

The aim is to minimise the risk of accidents and increase safety for climbers, guides, porters, and support staff.

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The Head of Basarnas, Mohammad Syafi’i, told reporters in Jakarta that the review must be carried out promptly to enhance the capabilities of the joint search and rescue team across all regions in Indonesia.

The review will likely reveal that the Search and Rescue Authority, known in Indonesia as Basarnas, will undergo more intensive training to enable teams better to understand emergency handling procedures in the climbing field.

Barsarnas also work alongside the Forestry Department, the Envrionetmal and Conservation Departments (BKSDA), the Natural Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Indonesian police, the army, as well as local guides, local security teams and volunteer organisation in the event of emergencies, natural disasters and to create safety protocols across the country for all manner of situations.

In the case of assessing mountaineering, trekking, and climbing activities in Indonesia, the Ministry of Tourism and local tourism offices will also participate in the conversation.

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Syafi’i told reporters “In the future what we want to improve is the potential SAR capability. We have run, the synergy in the field is quite good, but we need a better collaboration.”

He was clear that all efforts made in the search and rescue mission on Mount Rinjani this week were in accordance with international standards and that the biggest obstacle the team encountered was extreme weather conditions, which increased the rescue time. 

Responding to criticism online about the death of 29-year-old Juliana Marins on Mount Rinjani last week, Sayfi’i shared, “Words are slow or fast depending on who sees. But what is certain is that the SAR potential has carried out activities according to the standard. Criticism is natural, and we will definitely evaluate every incident.”

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Syafi’i explained, “Our ability is an international standard. Basarnas was present in the incident in Turkey and Myanmar, it became a reference. Every five years we are [assessed] by the United Nations agency, INSARAG.’

He noted that the placement of resources is of the utmost importance moving forward as well as a stronger focus on communication with the public.

Syafi’i shared, “In the example of a tourist area, it must be able to start from communication. With communication we can assess the potential danger, prepare the personnel and equipment. Our hope, with this limited ability can complement each other.”

Speaking separately, the Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, shared her condolences with Marins’ family and friends and vowed to ensure the safety of tourists visiting the country. Minister Wardana told reporters, “We express our sincere condolences to Juliana Marins’ family for this tragic loss.”

She added, “Obedience to this procedure is not just a formality, but a major bastion in minimizing fatal incidents.” Noting “This incident reminds us that every extreme tourist destination contains serious risks.”

In additional statements, the Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, affirmed his commitment to evaluating and improving standard operating procedures on Indonesia’s trekking routes. He also called for tourists to seriously assess their abilities before heading out on intensive climbs. Tourists are reminded that while many of Indonesia’s most famous trekking routes are popular, they are by no means easy. Mount Agung, Mount Rinjani, Mount Ijen, Mount Bromo, and even Mount Batur are all technically difficult, major mountain climbs. 

Minister Antoni explained, “Climbing the mountain is not the same as going to the mall. Requires physical, mental, and adequate equipment. Don’t just follow the trend, because safety should not be at stake.”

He added, “We will evaluate the total SOP, increase the number of posts on the climbing path, and prepare technology such as RFID that is installed on the climber’s bracelet, so that it can be quickly detected if there is an emergency condition.”

Noting “We are the ring of fire country. This incident can happen anywhere. Basarnas is already good, but also supported by the extraordinary volunteerism of our community, and of course, the SAR infrastructure is important to be prepared.”

Minister Antoni concluded, “Our imagination about climbing a mountain should not be equated with going to the office, on vacation; this requires physical exercise, complete equipment, and mental readiness.”