SAR team finds missing Brazilian on Rinjani

Mataram (ANTARA) - The joint SAR team has located the spot where a Brazilian tourist, Juliana, 27, fell near the Cemara Nunggal point on Mount Rinjani, West Nusa Tenggara.

Head of the Mataram SAR Office, Muhamad Hariyadi, stated that the victim was found on Monday (June 23) at 07:05 WITA (UTC+8), approximately 500 meters from where she initially fell.

"The joint SAR team managed to locate the survivor using a thermal drone," Hariyadi noted in a written statement received in Mataram on Tuesday.

According to drone surveillance, the victim appeared unresponsive. The joint SAR team is currently working intensively to evacuate Juliana, who fell hundreds of meters.

The accident occurred on Saturday morning, June 21, while she was hiking toward Mount Rinjani's peak.

"We are facing extreme and foggy terrain around the site of the incident," he added.

Governor of West Nusa Tenggara Lalu Muhamad Iqbal stressed the urgency of evacuating the victim.

"My message is clear that no matter the method, the victim must be rescued immediately. In emergencies, a person’s survival time is typically around 72 hours, especially without supplies. Hence, the evacuation must proceed without delay," Governor Iqbal stated.

He noted that the challenging terrain and weather conditions remain the main obstacles for the rescue team. The victim is believed to have fallen into a ravine approximately 400 to 500 meters deep, making the evacuation highly risky.

To expedite the rescue, Governor Iqbal announced plans to coordinate with PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMNT), which operates a helicopter designed for extreme terrain missions.

"We must do our best, including the possibility of an airlift with a specialized pilot, to avoid missing the critical window for rescue," he emphasized.

The governor also underscored the need to prioritize the safety of the rescue team still operating in the area. He affirmed that this incident highlights the importance of upholding NTB’s reputation for protecting tourists.

"This is not only about saving the victim -- it also reflects our responsibility as hosts to ensure the safety of foreign guests visiting NTB," he remarked.