A young Brazilian hiker tragically fell hundreds of meters from the edge of a towering Indonesian volcano and was found dead on Tuesday, according to Brazil’s government. For days, millions back home had been glued to their screens, sharing posts and praying as rescuers worked tirelessly to find her.
The tourist, 26-year-old Juliana Marins, started her ascent of Mount Rinjani, an active volcano standing at 3,726 meters (12,224 feet) on the Indonesian island of Lombok, on June 21, accompanied by a guide and five other travelers when she fell approximately 600 meters (1,968 feet), as reported by Indonesian authorities.
“No signs of life were found,” stated Mohammad Syafii, the head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency.
Marin’s family in Brazil confirmed the heartbreaking news of her death.
The Indonesian rescue team discovered Marin’s body near a crater using a thermal drone after four grueling days of searching, made even more challenging by the harsh terrain and weather conditions. Syafii explained that the difficult circumstances and poor visibility slowed down the evacuation process, as the rescue team carried Marins’ body to the Sembalun basecamp. Still, they would have to wait until Wednesday for transport to a police hospital.
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry expressed deep sorrow over her death, labeling it a tragedy, and noted that the country’s embassy in Jakarta had been coordinating the rescue efforts with local authorities.
The Brazilian embassy in Jakarta accused the Indonesian government of fabricating details about Marins’ rescue and misleading her family into believing she had been found and provided with food and water shortly after her fall. There has been no immediate response from the Indonesian government regarding this allegation.
In an Instagram post, Marins’ family thanked the many Brazilians who had prayed for their daughter’s safety.
Marins, a dancer who lived in Niterói, outside Rio de Janeiro, had been traveling across Asia since February, her family said. She had visited the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand before reaching Indonesia.
Lombok, the island where the incident occurred, is located east of Jakarta and is adjacent to Bali. Mount Rinjani, the second-highest peak in Indonesia, is a popular destination for hikers.