After more than seven hours of grueling operations in the mountains of Indonesia, the body of Brazilian Juliana Marins was finally removed from Mount Rinjani on Wednesday (25). The work was led by the team from the National Search and Rescue Agency, known as Basarnas, who faced a real battle against the complicated terrain and bad weather in the region.
One of the most tense moments of the rescue was filmed by one of the mountaineers who were helping with the mission. In the video, you can see Juliana’s body being hoisted from a very difficult to access part, around 600 meters below the main trail. For those who don’t know the region, Mount Rinjani is one of the highest points in Indonesia and, although it is very popular with adventurers, it can be extremely dangerous at certain times of the year – and that was exactly the case now.
The operation involved three experienced teams who worked together despite unfavorable weather conditions. There was poor visibility, strong winds and even a risk of landslides. Still, the rescue effort went ahead. According to the head of Basarnas, TNI Air Marshal Muhammad Syafi’i, the mission was one of the most complicated in recent weeks. “The location was very remote. It was a collective effort that required patience and precision,” he told local media.
Juliana, who was from Rio de Janeiro and lived in Niterói, had been missing since the previous weekend. Her body was found on Tuesday (24), after four days of intense searches that mobilized both local teams and volunteers. She had started the trail with a group, but ended up moving away and, for reasons that are still unclear, was unable to return. There are rumors that she slipped during the descent, but this will still be investigated in more depth by local authorities.
After the rescue, Juliana’s body was taken to a makeshift base in the village of Sembalun – the starting point for many of the trails that climb Rinjani. From there, it would be taken to the Bayangkara hospital, where official identification and repatriation procedures to Brazil would be carried out. Family and friends of the Brazilian woman are awaiting her arrival in the country with sadness and anxiety.
This tragedy reignites the debate about safety on international trails, especially in Asia, where many Brazilians go on adventures every year. As adventure tourism grows, so does the number of incidents – and unfortunately, in some cases, with fatal outcomes. In the last few months alone, there have been reports of similar accidents in Nepal, Thailand and the Philippines, which has led authorities to discuss new requirements for preparation and equipment for tourists who venture out on high-mountain trails.
Several messages of support for the family were posted on social media, including by other hikers who had recently passed through Rinjani. Many reported similar difficulties and reinforced the call for more guidance and monitoring in these areas.
Although the rescue was successful, the feeling is one of mourning and alert. Juliana, who was known for her passion for travel and nature, leaves behind a story that was cut short in a sad way, but also a strong reminder of the risks that sometimes don’t appear in pretty Instagram photos.