Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism has taken note of the incident where a tree fell on tourists in the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud. As a first step to enhance safety during the rainy season, authorities are turning directly to visitors for awareness.
Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Acting Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism, urged tourists visiting Bali for vacations or weekend getaways to always check the weather forecast. She emphasized that before visiting any attraction, travelers should ensure the weather is suitable and that strong winds, storms, or heavy rain do not pose a risk.
“Tourists can monitor weather conditions and adjust their plans accordingly. If they cannot wait for sunny weather, I recommend they check with on-site staff to see if operations are running as usual, whether umbrellas and shelters are available, and if tourist police are present,” said Marthini.
The ministry acknowledged the tragic incident in the Monkey Forest, where tourists lost their lives. Officials described the event as a force majeure, meaning no one will be held responsible. However, they are committed to taking proactive measures in the future.
“This is nature, and we cannot escape it. But we can ensure that the Monkey Forest is well-prepared with proper safety protocols and procedures. The immediate closure of the forest after the incident was the right decision,” Marthini stated.
Following the tragedy, sanctuary management assessed the condition of other trees in the Monkey Forest to ensure their stability against strong winds and rain.
Tjok Bagus Pemayun, Head of the Bali Tourism Office, explained that his team has been monitoring nature-based tourist destinations. He personally inspected the Bali Bird and Reptile Park to confirm its readiness to safely accommodate visitors.
Another proposed safety measure is improved communication between attraction managers and tourists, particularly through social media. Marthini emphasized that this is especially crucial during the rainy season, allowing visitors to stay informed about real-time conditions at various sites.
On December 10, a tree with a trunk diameter of over two meters collapsed onto a tourist pathway in the Monkey Forest, Ubud. Most visitors managed to move away in time, alerted by a loud cracking sound before the tree fell. However, two foreign tourists suffered fatal injuries.
The victims were identified as Justine Christine, 32, from France, and Kim Hyun, 42, from South Korea. One other individual was critically injured and transported to the hospital, while five others sustained minor injuries.
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