Tragic Death of Brazilian Tourist Juliana Marins on Mount Rinjani
Juliana Marins, a 26-year-old Brazilian tourist , was found dead by local rescuers after being trapped in the active volcano Mount Rinjani in Indonesia since Saturday, June 21. Her family communicated in a statement: “She did not survive.”
“Today, a rescue team finally reached the place where Juliana was. With deep sadness, we inform you that she did not survive,” wrote on the account @resgatejulianamarins. “We remain very grateful for all the prayers, messages of love, and support we have received,” added the post.
According to reports from Reuters, the Brazilian government has confirmed her death and stated that adverse weather conditions had hindered the rescue efforts. The young woman’s body was located by a team descending from the Cemara Nunggal area , situated between 2,600 and 3,000 meters above sea level. The official cause of death has yet to be confirmed and will be investigated by local authorities.
Marins was a marketing professional from Niterói in the state of Rio de Janeiro . She left Brazil in February to embark on a backpacking journey across Asia , having already traveled to the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand .
Marins fell into Mount Rinjani, an active volcano in Indonesia, from a cliff while hiking to the summit. Originally from Niterói, she was reportedly conscious for the first few days, according to drone footage, but rescuers failed to evacuate her on time.
The accident occurred on Saturday, June 21, around 6:30 AM local time when she was walking in the Cemara Nunggal area en route to the summit located on Lombok Island .
According to the Gunung Rinjani National Park , the Brazilian fell from a cliff that bordered the path along the volcano’s crater while part of a group of hikers.
Group members described the ascent conditions as extremely difficult. One group member explained to the authorities, according to BBC, that “the climb was really tough” and that “it was very cold; it was really hard.” Another member detailed that at the time of the accident, Marins was at the back of the group walking with her guide.
“It was very early, before dawn, in poor visibility conditions, with only a simple flashlight to illuminate the terrain that was difficult and slippery,” recounted a fellow hiker, as reported by People.
The rescue operations faced significant challenges due to extreme terrain and adverse weather conditions.
“After observation, two large overhangs were found before reaching the victim, making it impossible to set up an anchor. The rescue team had to climb to reach the victim,” the park authorities detailed. The thick fog reduced visibility and affected the use of thermal drones, further complicating evacuation efforts.
“The Brazilian government extends its condolences to the family and friends of the Brazilian tourist for the immense loss in this tragic accident,” expressed the Brazilian Foreign Ministry in a statement.
Mount Rinjani, towering at over 3,700 meters, is the second-highest volcano in Indonesia and a popular hiking destination for international tourists. The volcano has a history of fatal accidents , including the death of a Portuguese tourist in 2022 after falling from a cliff at the summit and the death of a Malaysian hiker earlier this year during a climb.
Park authorities maintain that climbers should prioritize their safety during hikes, especially considering the variable weather conditions and the complexities of the volcanic terrain. Despite the documented risks, Mount Rinjani continues to operate as a tourist destination with the necessary precautions.