The evacuation was completed on Wednesday at 22:48 local time.
The victim, Ilmi Cahyadi, from Lingkok Kudung hamlet in Seteling village, Central Lombok, was returned to his family following the operation, SAR Mataram field coordinator I Gde Eka Suarjana said on Thursday.
SAR Mataram had received a report from Mount Rinjani National Park (TNGR) on Wednesday morning about a hiker who had fallen during a climb.
Cahyadi had begun his ascent with a group on Sunday (Dec. 7) at 06:00 local time via the Seteling route. On Monday (Dec. 8) at around 09:00, one of his companions witnessed him fall into a ravine.
Family members and local residents initially attempted to rescue him before SAR teams were deployed, Suarjana said.
The rescue operation involved personnel from the military, police, TNGR, the East Lombok SAR unit, forest rangers, and local volunteers.
Teams were equipped with mountaineering gear, communication devices, thermal drones, medical supplies, and other support equipment.
At 13:30 local time, rescuers received confirmation that the body could be moved from the fall site, enabling a staggered evacuation down the mountain.
Despite steep terrain and poor visibility, the team successfully transported the body to the Aik Berik trailhead on Wednesday night.
Suarjana urged hikers to remain vigilant and prioritize safety to prevent similar incidents.
Separately, on Tuesday, December 9, the Mount Rinjani National Park office warned hikers to be alert to hazards caused by extreme weather expected toward the end of 2025.
“We urge all hikers and visitors to remain cautious,” said TNGR West Nusa Tenggara Forest Ecosystem Manager Budi Soesmardi.
He said heavy rainfall, steep slopes, and sandy soil had made the Naga trail—leading to Pelawangan Sembalun—dangerously slippery, with landslides and deep gaps forming along the route.
“To anticipate this, we are informing visitors, guides, and tourism operators to exercise caution and carry out necessary trail repairs,” he said, urging hikers to prioritize safety over reaching the summit.
Translator: Akhyar R, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
