Because of the tree collapse in Bali’s Monkey Forest tourist attraction, Ubud District, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Tuesday (10/12/2024), the place is closed until December 12, 2024.
“Monkey Forest Ubud will be closed on December 11 and 12, 2024,” quoted from the upload of the official Monkey Forest Instagram account, @monkey_forest_ubud.
Two foreign tourists were crushed to death by banyan, pule and crackle trees in Monkey Forest, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali, on Tuesday, December 10 afternoon. They had French and South Korean passports.
Ubud Police Chief Kompol Gusti Nyoman Sudarsana explained they rushed all the dead and injured victims to Kenak Medika Hospital, Ubud. One other victim, also from South Korea, was injured and received treatment at the clinic.
Identity of 2 foreign tourists who died in Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali:
1. Funny Justine Christine (dead)
Origin: France.
Age: 32 years old.
2. Kim Hyoeun (dead)
Origin: South Korea.
Age: 42 years old.
3. Lee Sunni (injuries)
Origin: South Korea.
Age: 43 years old.
The tourist attraction was temporarily closed by the police for investigation.
Ubud Monkey Forest is not only a place where around 1200 long-tailed monkeys live. The area also has a nature reserve and temple complex in Padangtegal Ubud. Referring to the official monkey forest website, based on Udayana University’s identification, there are 115 different species of trees.
Balinese spiritual practices consider some of these trees sacred and use them. People use majegan exclusively for building shrines, and they use berigin leaves in cremation ceremonies.
Monkey Forest says it regularly inspects the trees
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Monkey Forest Ubud said that the branch that broke during the incident was in good health.
They also said that the place routinely conducts tree monitoring and pruning, as part of its commitment to the safety of visitors, staff and animals at Monkey Forest Ubud.
However, there are some trees that are considered sacred. The pule Bandak, which embodies the forest spirit and which people use for making powerful masks, is the most important tree. These masks are only used inside the temple, and the trees are not cut down to make them.
A good day is selected, then the Priest asks the tree spirit for permission to take a small piece of wood. The spirit thus remains in the mask.
Chronology of the Fallen Tree Incident in Ubud Monkey Forest
Head of Bali Police Public Relations Kombes Pol Jansen Avitus Panjaitan said that this incident occurred when the three foreigners were visiting the tourist attraction at around 12.25 p.m.
According to information collected from the field, at that time there was suddenly heavy rain accompanied by strong winds at the location.
Not long after, a tree sounded like it was about to fall. Several witnesses then checked the source of the sound and it turned out that three trees had fallen.
