A Tourist Died While Climbing Agung

A 60-year-old tourist, a resident of the Javanese city of Jakarta, was found dead while climbing to the summit of the active volcano Agung. The shocking discovery spread across social media platforms like Twitter or X.

A post on Twitter contained a screenshot of a message on Instagram from a person who found human remains during the ascent. The sender also provided coordinates of the body's location at an altitude of about 2,833 meters above sea level. Initially, authorities reported that the deceased was a foreign tourist, and only after sending a team to evacuate the body did they realize that the victim of the accident was an Indonesian citizen. It was actually a foreigner who found the deceased. No one knows exactly when the victim started climbing Mount Agung. The man likely ascended without registration, a guide, and through an unofficial route. Meanwhile, local authorities have imposed a ban on climbing due to the religious ceremony of Ida Batara Turun Kabeh. Two local guides ascended to the coordinates and discovered the body, but due to strong winds and fog, they were unable to evacuate the remains, which was done only the next day. Media also report another victim of the volcano, this time in West Java. Last month, a climber died from a lightning strike on Mount Cikuray. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, February 24, 2024. The victim, 20 years old, was from the Malimping area, Lebak Banten. He was climbing the mountain with five friends.

Let's remind you that mountains, especially those that are active volcanoes, can harbor many real and unexpected dangers. For example, being on the highest mountain in Java - Semeru, is prohibited after noon. The wind shifts and poisonous gases begin to move towards the ascent trail. Not to mention that volcanoes occasionally erupt. By avoiding guides, you may also miss information about volcanic activity. Furthermore, climbing to the summits of Bali without guides is officially prohibited, and even if no one is harmed during the journey, problems, up to deportation, may arise later.

Sources: Kompas, CNN, liputan6