Volcano Horror: 31-Year-Old Brazilian Tourist Falls 250 Meters to Death on Indonesia’s Mount Batur
A 31-year-old Brazilian tourist tragically died after falling 250 meters while hiking Indonesia’s Mount Batur. Authorities investigate the fatal plunge
SAO PAULO — A young Brazilian hiker who fell hundreds of meters from the ridge of a towering Indonesian volcano and was trapped there for almost four days was found dead on Tuesday, Brazil’s government said. For days, millions of people in Brazil had watched, posted and prayed as rescuers tried to locate her.
The tourist, 26-year-old Juliana Marins, began summiting on June 21 Mount Rinjani, an active 12,224-foot volcano on the Indonesian island of Lombok, with a guide and five other foreigners when she fell some 1,968 feet, Indonesian authorities said.
“No signs of life were found,” said Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency.
Marins’ family in Brazil confirmed her death.
The Indonesian rescue team said it found Marins’ body beside a crater using a thermal drone after four days of intensive searches complicated by extremely harsh terrain and weather.
The difficult conditions and limited visibility delayed the evacuation process, Syafii said, as the rescue team climbed carrying Marins’ body to Sembalun basecamp but would have to wait until Wednesday for transport to a police hospital.
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry called her death a tragedy and said that the country’s embassy in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, had coordinated the rescue with local authorities.
Marins’ ordeal has riveted her home country, Brazil, with millions following the dramatic search-and-rescue efforts since news broke of her fall.
Authorities did not say when exactly she died.
Adding to the frenzy in Brazil over her ordeal, Brazil’s embassy in Jakarta had accused the Indonesian government of fabricating Marins’ rescue and misinforming her family that she had been located and given food and water just hours after her fall.
There was no immediate response from the Indonesian government on that claim.
Indonesia’s island of Lombok lies east of Jakarta and neighbors the island of Bali. Mount Rinjani, the country’s second-tallest peak, is a popular destination for trekkers.
In an Instagram post, Marins’ family thanked the many Brazilians who had prayed for their daughter’s safety.
Marins, a dancer who lived in Niteroi, outside Rio de Janeiro, had been traveling across Asia since February, her family said. She had visited the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand before reaching Indonesia.
A heartbreaking finale to what began as an adventurous trekking journey—26‑year‑old Brazilian publicist and traveler, Juliana Marins, tragically died after falling deep into the crater of Mount Rinjani, Indonesia’s second‑highest volcano, on June 21, 2025
On the morning of June 21, Juliana was hiking with a guide and five other foreigners toward Rinjani’s summit, standing at 3,726 m (12,224 ft) on the island of Lombok At around 6:30 a.m., fatigue compelled her to pause while her group continued. During this brief rest, she tragically slipped and fell approximately 500–600 m (1,600–1,970 ft) down a steep craggy ravine near the crater rim
Drone footage later captured her stranded on a rocky ledge 500 m deep, and at one point rescuers heard her cries and saw a flashlight signal—but the rugged, foggy terrain prevented immediate access.
Rescue teams—some 50 personnel strong—faced formidable hurdles:
- Drone reconnaissance pinpointed Juliana’s location over the crater.
- Helicopters were grounded by dense fog and weather hazards .
- Ground teams advanced using ropes amid vertical cliffs and slippery sand, battling harsh winds and low visibility
Poor weather and dangerous overhangs repeatedly halted rescuers. At one point, they reached just 250 m away but had to retreat—an agonizing setback for her family
Over four days, her family and millions in Brazil held their breaths as authorities coordinated cross-national efforts. Brazil’s embassy in Jakarta and the Foreign Ministry engaged directly, even accusing Indonesian officials of misleading the family with claims Juliana had received food and water shortly after falling—a statement Indonesian authorities neither confirmed nor denied
On June 24, rescuers located Juliana’s remains near her initial crash site. They confirmed she had not survived the fall, and her body was retrieved that evening
Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), stated:
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry termed the outcome a tragedy, acknowledging “millions of Brazilians” had followed the rescue with heartfelt support . Marins’ family released a statement expressing profound grief and gratitude for global expressions of solidarity
Born in 1998/1999 in Niterói, near Rio de Janeiro, Juliana was a passionate publicist, pole dancer, and solo travel content creator with over 301,000 Instagram followers Traveling Asia since February, she visited the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, capturing her journey with warmth and authenticity
Her final Instagram post—shared June 9—featured joyful snapshots of her travels, reflecting her free-spirited character and love for exploration In her last video, she is seen beaming beside a friend atop the summit, unaware of the fatal plunge to come
Mount Rinjani offers breathtaking vistas—a volcanic crater lake and sunrise scenes—but also poses undeniable risks:
- Steep cliffs and rapid weather shifts demand vigilance and proper guide support
Trekking is typically a 2–4 day ordeal, with sections that test stamina and terrain navigation
Fatal incidents are not uncommon: in May, a Malaysian man fell to his death, and in 2022, a Portuguese hiker perished and required four days for retrieval
Resorts like Bali’s Mount Batur, though considered simpler, have also seen deaths from falling into craters, with victims plunging 150–500 feet to their deaths
The drama surrounding Juliana’s rescue deepened when Brazil’s embassy criticized Indonesian authorities for allegedly misinforming the family—claiming Juliana was found “alive with food and water” shortly after her fall
Indonesia’s rescue chief Muhamad Hariyadi responded
Difficult terrain and harsh weather hampered response efforts, not misinformation
Distrust in international rescue coordination can complicate operations and exacerbate families’ anguish, highlighting the need for transparent, precise communication in crises
Social media platforms across Brazil were awash with condolences. In moments of hope, many resonated with her situation:
- Thousands flocked to her Instagram, leaving emotional tributes celebrating her adventurous spirit
Online traveler forums provide context on Indonesia’s volcano culture—on areas like Lombok and Bali, locals often pressure trekkers to hire guides:
“It’s perfectly legal and safe … However, this self‑claimed association threatened us … until we agreed in paying them the money. Mind you, there is NO RULE OR REGULATION saying you can’t climb Mt Batur without a guide.
- Guide necessity: While optional, guides offer safety, route knowledge, and rapid response in emergencies.
- Hazard communication: Clubs and park authorities must ensure clear, pre-trip briefings and hazard mapping.
- Cross-border coordination: Indonesian authorities and foreign embassies must synchronize messaging and rescue updates to avoid misinformation.
- Invest in rescue tech: Enhancing drone use, rope-access infrastructure, and rapid-deployment rescue teams is essential.
- Promote responsible tourism: Cultural respect, volunteer guides, and regulated hiking routes can preserve both safety and local livelihoods.
In Brazil, coverage reflected deep empathy: “millions watched, posted and prayed” during the operations
Her final social media beacon—a joyous summit picture—struck a chord globally, underscoring how the memory of a bright young life can ignite collective awareness
“We remain very grateful for all the prayers, messages of affection and support
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