On Tuesday, 12th March 2024, a foreign tourist stumbled upon a hiker’s body on Mount Agung in Karangasem. The climber, whose identity remains unknown, was discovered at coordinates 8°20’31.12″S – 115°29’35.81″E, at an altitude of 2,833 meters above sea level.
According to I Nyoman Sidakarya, the Head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office (Basarnas), the hiker was described as a man dressed in a black jacket and trousers, with white hair, and carrying a green bag.
The Denpasar Basarnas team is uncertain about the exact time the victim began climbing Mount Agung. This uncertainty arises because the Karangasem district government temporarily closed access to Mount Agung from 10th March 2024 to 14th April 2024.
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The rescue team reached the summit of Mount Agung at 5 PM local time, accompanied by two local guides via the Pengubengan Karangasem route. After a 2-hour climb, they reached the spot where the body was discovered.
On March 13, 2024, it was revealed that the hiker’s body on Mount Agung belonged to a man from Bongsari Village, Semarang, Central Java. The Bali Police will conduct forensic identification to determine the cause of death.
At present, there’s a temporary prohibition on climbing Mount Agung due to the Hindu community’s upcoming religious ceremony called ‘Ida Batara Turun Kabeh’. This ceremony is held to uphold the sanctity of the Besakih Great Temple. Tourists need to adhere to these regulations during the ceremony to prevent any untoward incidents.
Those who choose to climb against these rules and encounter mishaps will be held fully accountable for their actions.
