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There has been a tragedy on Mount Rinjani. Brazilian authorities confirmed in a statement on June 24 that Juliana Marins, a Brazilian tourist who fell off a cliff while hiking Indonesia's active volcano, had been found dead.
About 50 people participated in a days-long search and rescue operation after the 26-year-old was first reported missing on June 21 by the Indonesian rescue agency and the Brazilian government.
The Brazilian government said in a statement that "teams from Indonesia's Search and Rescue Agency found the body of the Brazilian tourist after four days of work, hindered by adverse weather, terrain, and visibility conditions in the region."
"After learning of the fall on Mount Rinjani on Friday night, the Brazilian embassy in Jakarta mobilized local authorities at the highest level for the rescue task and had been following the search work," the statement went on.
Marins fell off a mountainside cliff, but not into the volcano crater, according to Muhammad Hariyade, who led the local rescue effort. Additionally, he told Reuters that it was challenging to retrieve her with ropes due to the area's soft sand.
An Instagram account that has since amassed 1.6 million followers and posted updates from the Marins family during the search process revealed on June 23 that Marins was discovered to be unresponsive.
The post stated, "The rescue team was able to arrive at Juliana Marins' location today." We regret to notify you that she did not make it out alive. We are still incredibly appreciative of all the support, love, and prayers we have received.
The following day, the head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, Mohammad Syafii, confirmed, per CBS News, that rescuers found her unresponsive and would evacuate her body the following morning because of bad weather.
How did search and rescue personnel find the hiker in the midst of such bad weather? According to Mount Rinjani’s official Instagram account, “The joint rescue team has attempted various methods, including aerial support using a helicopter, but heavy fog in the area has limited its effectiveness.”
“A total of 48 personnel from various agencies are involved,” the June 24 post continued, “with an alternative evacuation route being prepared via Segara Anak Lake if the steep terrain remains inaccessible.”
