The body of a woman was recovered by a joint search and rescue (SAR) team from beneath the cliffs of Pura Luhur Uluwatu in Badung Regency, Bali, on Thursday, 9 January 2025. The victim, suspected to be a foreign national, was transported to Prof. Ngoerah Hospital (Sanglah) for further identification.
An eyewitness reported seeing the body face down on the rocks below the cliff, which is approximately 68 metres above sea level. I Nyoman Sidakarya, Head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office, explained the challenging conditions of the scene.
“The body was positioned face down on the rocks, making the evacuation process extremely difficult,” said Sidakarya, as reported by Antara.
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Bali mobilised 12 personnel with extrication equipment to recover the body. Due to the steep, hazardous terrain and rising tide, the rescue team faced significant challenges but persevered to prevent the body from being carried away by the waves.
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“We received the initial report at around 10:20 WITA from Balawista Badung Regency,” Sidakarya stated. “After about an hour and a half of navigating the cliff using ropes, the team successfully retrieved the victim at 13:25 WITA (1:25 pm).”
The victim, identified as female from her physical characteristics, was wearing a black bikini. She had open wounds on her body and is suspected to have suffered a broken right leg. However, her identity remains unknown, though initial indications suggest she may be a foreigner.
Following the evacuation, the body was taken to Prof. Ngoerah General Hospital in Denpasar for formal identification.
Traditional Village Advocates for Tourist Insurance
The incident has raised concerns in the local Pecatu Traditional Village, as similar accidents frequently occur in the Uluwatu Cliff area, particularly near the Kecak Dance stage in the outer region of Pura Luhur Uluwatu.
In response, Pecatu Traditional Village is urging the local government to allocate a budget for tourist insurance to enhance visitor safety.
“Insurance is essential to provide protection for tourists,” said I Made Sumerta, Bendesa Adat Pecatu, as quoted by NusaBali.
With the increasing popularity of Uluwatu Cliff as a tourist destination, local authorities are being called upon to prioritise visitor safety and take proactive measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
