Indonesia to reassess hiking protocols after Rinjani tragedy

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government announced it will thoroughly reevaluate hiking procedure standards in a bid to minimize injuries and ensure safety, following the death of Brazilian hiker, Julana Marins, 27.

Marins was reported missing on Mount Rinjani, West Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday (June 21). After five days of rescue efforts, her body was found around 600 meters below the hiking trail.

Head of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Mohammad Syafi'i, stated here on Monday that the reevaluation must be conducted immediately to improve the capacity of SAR teams across Indonesia. He affirmed that Basarnas will provide better training so teams understand emergency response procedures on such hiking trails.

"In the future, we want to improve the capability and potential of SAR teams. It is ongoing (the capacity building, and) synergy is good in practice, but we still need better collaboration," Syafi'i remarked.

Basarnas personnel have proven their skills in several global-scale operations, such as during disasters in Türkiye and Myanmar. However, as in Marins' case, extreme weather and terrain remain the main challenges in rescuing hikers.

Syafi'i also addressed suggestions to erect posts along hiking trails to store SAR equipment, which could speed up emergency responses. He believes this move would require collaboration with relevant stakeholders, as Basarnas cannot deploy its limited resources to all areas in Indonesia.

"For tourism destinations, for example, it must start with communication. By communicating, we can assess the hazard risks and prepare the personnel and equipment accordingly," he explained.

He believes the main principle of SAR operations is empathy towards victims, which drives personnel to rescue victims immediately.

Basarnas will also consider criticism about the slow evacuation process and information relay during its reevaluation.

"Criticism is normal, and we evaluate every instance," Syafi'i stated.

On the same occasion, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the government will impose stricter monitoring and review hiking safety procedures, so people do not undertake the activity simply to follow the trend.