A heartbreaking international rescue effort came to a close on Wednesday as Indonesian search teams recovered the body of Juliana Marins, a 26-year-old hiker from Brazil, who tragically fell from a ridge while trekking Mount Rinjani.
The young adventurer’s fatal fall occurred during a hike on one of Indonesia’s most challenging and scenic volcanoes, located on the island of Lombok. Search crews battled extreme terrain, steep cliffs, and heavy fog for days before locating her body using thermal drone technology.
“It was a difficult operation… rocky slopes, unstable paths, and unpredictable weather slowed everything down,” explained Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency. The retrieval itself took over five hours as the team navigated treacherous conditions with a stretcher.
Confirmation of Juliana’s death came Tuesday, four days after she went missing. The news gripped Brazil, where millions followed the search updates anxiously. Indonesian officials later met with Marins’ family to explain the events and rescue efforts.
“The family has shown incredible strength and understanding despite the painful circumstances,” Syafii shared.
Mount Rinjani, standing as Indonesia’s second-highest peak, attracts trekkers from around the world… but this tragic incident is a reminder of the risks that come with high-altitude adventures.
