A Polish tourist, identified as KAS (53 years old), was discovered deceased while trekking at Ijen Crater in Banyuwangi on Thursday, 15th February 2024, in the afternoon local time. Suspected of succumbing to exhaustion during the trek, the tourist was found lying on the trekking route by individuals in the vicinity of the crater.
The sequence of events leading to the Polish tourist’s demise at Ijen Crater unfolded when the victim and three companions set out for a trek on Mount Ijen at 11:30 AM. Shortly thereafter, news emerged of a tourist found deceased at 2:13 PM local time. This information was relayed by a local to the conservation officer overseeing the Mount Ijen area.
The rescue team swiftly mobilized to evacuate the victim from the location where he was found and transported him to the nearest healthcare facility. Dwi Putro Sugiarto, the Head of Banyuwangi’s Nature Conservation Agency (BKSDA), mentioned that the officers promptly took the victim to the Licin Community Health Center and later transferred him to Blambangan Hospital in coordination with the Banyuwangi police.
“The victim’s demise is presumed to be attributed to fatigue and a pre-existing medical condition,” stated Dwi Putro. The deceased, identified as a tourist residing in Bali and operating as a travel agent, met his unfortunate fate while trekking at Ijen Crater.
The victim’s family has since retrieved his remains and transported them to Bali. This unfortunate incident serves as a poignant reminder for other tourists to assess their health and physical condition before embarking on a trek to Ijen Crater in Banyuwangi. The rugged terrain poses a formidable challenge, particularly for older individuals or those trekking in mountainous regions for the first time.
Traversing to Ijen Crater typically requires 2-2.5 hours under favourable weather conditions. Additionally, tourists are advised to familiarize themselves with the chosen route to adequately prepare their bodies for the journey ahead.