A Week After Juliana Marins' Death, Rinjani Claims Another Close Call

TheIndonesia.co - The lush volcanic slopes of Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island, Indonesia, are known not only for their staggering beauty but also for the promise of personal triumph. Each year, thousands of hikers from across the globe ascend its peaks in search of that singular moment—standing on the crater rim, gazing down at Lake Segara Anak, with clouds below and the sunrise above.

But Rinjani, like many high-altitude natural wonders, demands more than admiration. It demands respect—and preparedness. And in recent weeks, a series of harrowing incidents have turned that reality into a national conversation about how to make Mount Rinjani safer for everyone.

A Close Call on the Mountain

On the morning of Saturday, June 29th, 2025, just days after the tragic death of Juliana Marins, a Brazilian hiker made international headlines, another incident occurred on Rinjani’s unforgiving terrain.

 

According to Antara News Agency, a 47-year-old Malaysian tourist named Nazri bin Awang Mahat was descending toward Lake Segara Anak, a popular resting point in the crater of Mount Rinjani, when he slipped and fell. The trail—often narrow and slick with gravel or morning dew—proved treacherous once again.

First Inspector Nicolas Oesman, a spokesperson for the East Lombok Police, the fall was significant but not life-threatening.

“The victim slipped while descending toward the lake,” he said. “He sustained bruises on his right arm, scratches on his head, and pain in his hip.”

Nazri was lucky. He was in a group of 12 hikers with a local porter, who quickly assisted him and guided him down to the Sembalun public health centre for treatment. His condition was stabilized, and he was later released. But the incident added to a growing sense of urgency: Mount Rinjani must become safer—not just for experienced hikers, but for all who tread its paths.

A Tragic Reminder: Juliana Marins

Just over a week earlier, on June 21th, Juliana Marins, a 26-year-old tourist from Niterói, State of Rio de Janeiro, embarked on what should have been the adventure of a lifetime: a sunrise summit of Rinjani. But in the dark, cold hours of the early morning, Juliana lost her footing and fell into a ravine near the summit.

 

She survived the fall but was stranded in a remote and dangerous location. Rescue teams took four days to recover her body, battling poor weather, fog, and the impossibility of aerial assistance due to the ravine’s depth and location.

The incident made headlines in both Indonesia and Brazil. It raised uncomfortable but necessary questions: Are safety protocols enough? Are guides sufficiently trained? Is the rescue infrastructure capable of rapid response in critical situations?

SOPs in Place, But Are They Enough?

According to Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, the answers lie in full enforcement of the existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)—and a commitment to reevaluate where those standards fall short.

 

“This tragedy reminds us that every extreme tourism destination carries serious risk,” the Minister said in a statement issued days after Juliana’s death.

“Compliance with safety procedures is not just a formality. It is our frontline defense against fatal incidents.”

The SOPs for Rinjani are detailed in Decree No. 19 of 2022 issued by the Head of Mount Rinjani National Park. Among other requirements, it mandates that hikers register with authorized operators, be accompanied by certified guides, and carry essential safety equipment. Yet incidents suggest that not all stakeholders—hikers, guides, and even some tour operators—are following through.

Addressing Gaps in Safety and Rescue

Member of Parliament Abdul Hadi, representing the NTB 2 constituency (which includes Lombok), believes Juliana’s death should be a wake-up call for systemic reform—especially in the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas).

 

“This is a moment for deep reflection,” said Hadi. “How is it possible that a stranded victim sends distress signals, and it still takes four days for a rescue to reach her?”

He acknowledges the extreme challenges faced by the rescue teams—600-meter cliffs, unstable terrain, fog, and rain—but insists the SOP for evacuation in mountainous regions must be updated.

“We need quicker, more precise action. This means regular joint drills, community-based rescue initiatives, and stronger inter-agency coordination.”

He also called for the use of technology: thermal drones, heavy-duty rescue drones, and emergency beacons for every climber.

“Every international hiker should be required to carry a GPS tracker or beacon. It’s a matter of survival.”

Strengthening the Backbone: Guides and Porters

At the heart of any safe mountain trek are the guides and porters—often locals with deep knowledge of the terrain but limited access to formal training.

The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the Mount Rinjani National Park and local governments, plans to launch mandatory retraining programs for all guides and porters on the mountain. These programs will include:

• Emergency response and first aid
• Communication during crises
• Risk evaluation in changing weather
• Navigation and equipment use

The Ministry has also proposed routine audits of tour operators to ensure only properly certified guides are leading treks.

Empowering Hikers with Knowledge

A critical part of prevention is education. The government plans to launch awareness campaigns for domestic and international visitors, focusing on:

• The importance of hiring certified guides and registered tour operators
• The need for proper gear, including trekking poles, cold-weather clothing, helmets, and navigation tools
• How to identify weather risks and make informed decisions during the climb
• Encouraging use of safety apps, trail maps, and emergency contact channels

A dedicated WhatsApp hotline (08118956767) has been made available for tourists and locals to report SOP violations or safety hazards in real time.

A Unified Vision for Safer Adventure

Ultimately, the safety of Rinjani will depend on a coordinated effort—between government bodies like Basarnas, the Ministry of Tourism, the National Park Authority, TNI/Polri, BPBD, and local mountain communities.

 

To facilitate this, Abdul Hadi is advocating for a centralized command post at Mount Rinjani, especially during peak trekking seasons. This would enable real-time monitoring and data-driven decisions when emergencies arise.

Hadi also emphasized the need for quick-deployment resources, such as an on-site helicopter unit, satellite radios for all guide teams, and thermal imaging technology for search-and-rescue operations in low visibility.

Moving Forward

As the smoke clears from recent tragedies, what remains is a collective resolve to transform Mount Rinjani into a model of safe eco-tourism.

“Rinjani is a sacred place, and it’s our responsibility to protect it—both the land and the people who walk it,” said Minister Widiyanti.

 

Nazril’s safe evacuation on June 29th is a reminder that prevention works—that trained guides, cooperative hikers, and responsive health services can make all the difference. But Juliana’s death is a stark reminder of what happens when the system falls short.

If Indonesia is to promote Rinjani as a world-class hiking destination, then safety must not be optional—it must be embedded at every level, from booking a tour to standing at the summit.

And with renewed focus, reform, and responsibility, the next chapter of Rinjani can be one where beauty and safety walk hand in hand.