A Swiss tourist, 46-year-old B.E., suffered severe injuries while descending Mount Rinjani on Lombok.
On the evening of July 16, after reaching the summit, he was heading along the trail to Segara Anak Lake but stumbled and fell into a narrow crevice. The guide accompanying the group, together with staff from the Senaru Tour Operators Association, responded quickly: they stabilized the injured person, stopped the bleeding, assessed his condition, and immediately requested air evacuation.
Night transport over mountainous terrain was impossible, so rescuers set up a temporary camp and maintained the tourist's vital signs until dawn. In the morning, a helicopter arrived at a prepared site on the slope and transported the injured person directly to the BIMC international hospital in Kuta (Bali). Doctors diagnosed multiple fractures and a traumatic brain injury; for such injuries, time is critical, and it was aviation that helped avoid more serious consequences.
Similar incidents on Indonesian volcanoes, especially during peak season, occur regularly. Just three weeks ago, a Brazilian tourist died on the same Rinjani, also falling from the slope.
Rescuers emphasize that even the 'popular' route on Rinjani requires good physical condition, sturdy mountain footwear, and reliable insurance. An experienced guide, a pre-discussed movement plan, and a sober assessment of one's own strengths help reduce risk, but don’t eliminate it: volcanic trails are narrow, loose, and unpredictable, and the weather can change in a matter of minutes.
You can add one right now!