Expressing her condolences to the victim’s family, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tourist safety.
“We express our sincere condolences to Juliana Marins’ family for this tragic loss,” she said in an official statement released in Jakarta on Saturday.
According to Widiyanti, her death is a reminder to the Tourism Ministry to tighten compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for climbing, which are regulated in the Decree of the Head of Mount Rinjani National Park Office Number 19 of 2022.
“Adherence to this procedure is not merely a formality, but is the primary bulwark in minimizing fatal incidents,” she said.
Marins’ body was found after four days of intensive search at a depth of 600 meters and evacuated in extreme terrain conditions. This further emphasizes the urgency of enforcing the SOPs.
The Tourism Minister lauded the hard work of the rescue team comprising personnel from the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) and the Mount Rinjani National Park Office, as well as volunteers.
However, she also issued a stern warning, demanding greater responsibility from managers of extreme tourism destinations.
The ministry will now prioritize supervision, comprehensive audits, and mandatory retraining in safety techniques and emergency evacuations for operators, porters, and guides, she informed.
The goal is to ensure that all parties have the required certification and meet the standards set by the relevant authorities.
The authorities have promised to continue to intensify public education, especially of foreign tourists, regarding the importance of using official operators and safety equipment.
Collaboration across ministries and institutions such as the Ministry of Forestry, Basarnas, TNI/Polri, Regional Disaster Management Agency, National Park Office, and Regional Tourism Office continues to be strengthened to ensure the effectiveness of SOPs in the field.
The public and tourists have also been urged to play an active role by choosing certified operators, complying with all safety protocols, and reporting any climbing SOP violations via WhatsApp (0811-895-6767).
“This incident reminds us that every extreme tourist destination carries serious risks,” Widiyanti said.
Compliance with rules would ensure responsible and safe climbs.
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Translator: Arie Novarina
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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