The victim of the sacred Balinese volcano Agung was 28-year-old Dutch national Fleur Bigstraten. She decided to climb the mountain with her friend, Dane Patrick Andersen. The night before the climb, they stayed in Ubud and then set out to start the route at the Pasar Agung temple.
The travelers chose not to use a guide. Around 3 a.m., at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level, Fleur slipped on a rock, lost her balance, and fell off a 15-meter cliff. Her friend rushed back to the starting point for help. Patrick Andersen returned with a guide and 20 volunteers. They managed to find the fallen girl and even carried her down on a stretcher. At that moment, she was still alive and even conscious.
For first aid, the injured woman was taken to the Selat Community Health Center in Karangasem. However, it was too late; the doctors pronounced her dead. The head of public relations for the Karangasem police, Inspector I Gede Sukadana, reported that the victim sustained several serious injuries, including fractures in various parts of her body, including the lower jaw, and open wounds on her face.
"No signs of violence indicating a criminal nature were found. We declare that the victim died solely as a result of an accident. The incident was reported to the Selat police," Sukadana said.
Additionally, the issue of holding a purification ceremony for the hiking route from the Pasar Agung temple due to the tourist's death is being discussed. Meanwhile, local authorities have once again emphasized the need to tighten control over climbers who decide to ascend without a guide. Although this has long been prohibited, tourists still try to save money and venture out alone. It's important to remember that unlike Batur, Agung is much more challenging and dangerous for climbing. There are sections on the routes, the unfamiliarity of which can lead to tragedy. Don't tempt fate; assistance on the slope will take a long time to arrive.
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