Search and Rescue evacuated a German tourist from Bali’s Mt. Agung on Thursday after he fell into the volcano’s crater.
Located in East Bali regency, Karangasem, Mt. Agung is the island’s tallest peak, at over 3,000 meters.
The German national did not ascend Agung with a guide, according to local newspaper, Tribun Bali. The German had reportedly been climbing with two other companions, setting off around 1:30am, a popular departure time for climbers hoping to try and reach the peak for sunrise.
Visitors are strongly advised to but not required to climb the mountain with a guide.
The slipping incident occurred around 6am on Thursday says Mangku Dayuh, one of the guides working at Agung.
Another guide, Ketut Dana was the first to find the German, who fell about 15 meters down from the edge of the lip of the crater, according to Dayuh.
After word got down the mountain about the German’s fall, a rescue team was assembled from the mountain’s base, including members of Basarnas Search and Rescue, the Karangasem Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), police, and other climbing guides.
The joint team set off by 7am, ultimately helping bring the German all the way down the mountain, since he had sustained some injuries to his head, legs, and his core during his fall.
“The victim has been taken to Bali Med Hospital, Karangasem for treatment,” Dayuh told Tribun Bali.
Dayuh says the German fell because of the steep incline and being unfamiliar with the terrain. Limited visibility with foggy weather apparently didn’t help things either.
“The weather was rainy and the mountain was misty. They were already advised to use a guide, but the victim refused,” Dayuh said.
Head of BPBD Karangasem, Ida Bagus Ketut Arimbawa, said the rescue team encountered some difficulties while doing the evacuation with thick fog and drizzle.
The evacuation process took three to four hours, according to Arimbawa.
Dayuh says that he and other Mt. Agung guides hope this can be a lesson for future trekkers, to be alert and go with a guide, also pointing out how visitors should respect the mountain, as the Balinese regard the volcano as sacred.
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