4 Hipetermia Climbers In Bukit Pading, Evacuated Sunday Night

The evacuation process carried out by the Babel Joint SAR Team against a number of climbers of Bukit Pading who experienced symptoms of hypothermia. (ANTARA)

PANGKALPINANG - The joint Search and Rescue Team of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province (Babel) evacuated several tourists who experienced symptoms of hypothermia while climbing Bukit Pading in Central Bangka.

"The evacuation process was carried out after the Pangkalpinang Search and Rescue Office received information about the incident, in this process we were supported by Rescuer Kansar Pangkalpinang, Central Bangka BPBD, Saka SAR, and residents of Sadap Hamlet," said Head of Pangkalpinang Search and Rescue Office I Made Oka Astawa quoted by ANTARA, Monday, June 2.

The joint team moved to the location of the climbers to carry out initial medical treatment for tourists who were experiencing hypothermia. The entire evacuation process lasted until around 03.30 WIB, the joint SAR team managed to evacuate the victims safely and in good health.

He explained that the evacuation process for tourists climbing Bukit Pading started with climbing activities carried out by 35 people who were members of the Babel Sekam Community, on May 31, 2025 at 16.00 WIB.

They climbed from Sadap Hamlet and arrived at the Pading Children's Command Post at around 20.00 WIB to set up a tent and rest. The next day around 10.00 WIB they continued their journey to Puncak Bukit Pading and arrived at the peak at 15.30 WIB.

After completing activities at the peak, at 16.00 WIB all climbers returned to Command Post-1, but in the middle of the journey a climber named Fitri (P/21) experienced symptoms of hypothermia and severe fatigue. Other climbers then took the victim by heading to Command Post-1.

After arriving at Command Post-1 at 20.30 WIB, three other climbers also experienced the same condition. Their colleagues decided to start a fire to reduce the cold on the body and contact the Pangkalpinang SAR Office to ask for evacuation assistance.

Receiving this information, the Pangkalpinang SAR Office dispatched a rescue team to the scene, along with that the SAR team was also supported by BPBD personnel from Central Bangka Regency, Saka SAR, and a number of residents from Supap Hamlet.

"The entire evacuation process lasted until around 03.30 WIB, the Joint SAR Team managed to evacuate all the victims safely," he said.

Furthermore, climbers were taken using the Basarnas fleet and public transportation to the house of one of the climbers who became the initial gathering point before climbing.

"Last night we evacuated climbers who experience symptoms of hypothermia, making it difficult to continue their journey down from Bukit Pading. Weather conditions that are cloudy and rainy since yesterday can allow this to happen to climbers," he said.

He appealed to climbers before carrying out climbing activities to ensure that the physical condition of the prima and safety equipment is adequate to anticipate various possibilities that can occur while climbing.

"We would like to thank the joint SAR Team for helping in the rescue and evacuation of climbers," he said.