Juliana Marins (26). (image-Instagram/ajulianamarins)
Jakarta, Indonesia: Brazilian tourist Juliana Marins, 26, who fell while hiking near the crater of Mount Rinjani, an active volcano on Indonesia’s Lombok Island, was found dead following a 3-day-long, complex rescue operation, authorities and her family confirmed on Tuesday.
Marins, who was backpacking across Southeast Asia, had been hiking with friends and a local guide on Saturday morning when she reportedly slipped and fell from a cliff surrounding the volcano’s crater. Witnesses said she was alive after the fall and could be heard screaming for help. Drone footage later confirmed she was conscious and moving on Saturday, sitting on grey volcanic soil hundreds of meters below the main trail.
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However, poor visibility, steep terrain, and thick fog severely hampered rescue efforts over the next three days. By the time rescuers reached the location on Tuesday, they found Marins unresponsive at a depth of 600 metres. Indonesian officials confirmed there were no signs of life.
“The Brazilian government informs, with deep sadness, the death of the Brazilian tourist Juliana Marins,” Brazil’s foreign ministry said in a statement. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also expressed his condolences and said Brazil’s diplomatic services in Indonesia would continue to support her family.
An avid traveller, Marins had been documenting her solo backpacking journey on social media, traveling through Thailand and Vietnam before arriving in Indonesia. Her final Instagram posts showed her enjoying the beauty of Southeast Asia just days before the tragedy.
A rescue team of 50 members from Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) was deployed for the mission. “One of the rescuers managed to reach the victim… Upon checking, there were no signs of life,” Basarnas chief Mohammad Syafii said. Efforts to evacuate her body were postponed due to adverse weather and were expected to resume early Wednesday.
The news of her fall sparked an outpouring of concern in Brazil and globally. An Instagram account created by her family to share updates during the rescue gained over 1.5 million followers. On Tuesday, the account confirmed her death, stating: “With great sadness, we inform you that she did not survive. We remain very grateful for all the prayers, messages of affection and support that we have received.”
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Marins’ family has raised concerns about the trail not being closed after she fell.
Mount Rinjani, at 3,726 metres, is Indonesia’s second-highest volcano and a popular destination for hikers seeking dramatic views from the crater rim. But the mountain has claimed several lives in recent years. Just last month, a Malaysian tourist died attempting to climb it. In 2018, a powerful earthquake triggered landslides on the mountain, trapping hundreds of trekkers.
