Rescue teams are engaged in a desperate search for Brazilian tourist Juliana Marins, age 26, who vanished while hiking near the rim of Mount Rinjani, an active volcano in Indonesia. Marins, part of a hiking group, went missing early on Saturday, with initial reports indicating she fell from a cliff adjacent to the volcano’s crater.
Indonesian authorities have reported difficulties in search operations, primarily due to challenging terrain and inclement weather. Closer investigation revealed park authorities heard Marins cry for help shortly after her fall, indicating that she survived the initial incident but was in a state of shock.
Drone footage and videos shared by other hikers suggested that Marins was moving around in the gray soil below the hiking path. However, when rescuers attempted to reach her, they encountered issues and could not confirm her location as thick fog cloaked the area. Their search was further complicated as she appeared to have fallen even deeper into the crater.
Rescuers managed to locate her again on Monday, but operations were suspended due to adverse weather conditions. Reports from Marins's family have expressed distress and frustration regarding the situation, urging for an immediate cease of tourist activities in the area while their loved one remains unaccounted for. They have highlighted that rescue attempts have faced setbacks as climbers continued to traverse the same route where Marins is presumed to be.
Satyawan Pudyatmoko, an official from Indonesia's forestry ministry, stated that the trail remains open based on evaluations that deemed closing it would potentially disrupt the evacuation process. While climbers are cautioned to avoid the site, authorities continued to prioritize tourist safety amid the rescue.
The Brazilian foreign ministry is in contact with its Indonesian counterparts, deploying embassy staff to oversee the rescue efforts. The harrowing incident has revived discussions about safety protocols, especially in light of past hiking accidents on Mount Rinjani, which remains a favored destination for many thrill-seeking adventurers.
As rescue operations recommenced, the urgency for Juliana’s recovery weighs heavily on both her family and the many who share their hopes for her safe return.
