Police Investigate Cases Of Abandonment Of Dozens Of Hikers On Mount Rinjani

Head of Public Relations of the NTB Police, Kombes Artanto/ANTARA

MATARAM - Police officers are investigating the neglect of dozens of climbers on Mount Rinjani, West Nusa Tenggara, which is suspected to be the work of a travel agent.

"According to the information we received, the East Lombok Police Chief has ordered his staff to conduct an investigation into the case," said Head of Public Relations of the NTB Police, Kombes Artanto, quoted by Antara, Sunday, January 2.

From a series of investigations, the police have taken statements from a number of witnesses, including climbers who were victims.

"So there have been several witnesses whose statements were taken," he said.

In the investigation, coordination was also carried out with the Mount Rinjani National Park Office (BTNGR). The goal, he said, was to identify the beginning of the group of climbers entering the area.

"Therefore, please entrust the handling of this matter to us. God willing, this case will soon be completed and handled properly," he said.

From this issue, Artanto appealed to travel enthusiasts to the Mount Rinjani area to better understand the climbing procedure.

In addition to studying the terrain and hiking trails, it would be nice if the enthusiasts also asked for complete information or recommendations from BTNGR regarding the existence of travel agents who were able to facilitate climbing activities.

According to information compiled, there were around 70 climbers from outside the area who were abandoned by a travel agent on Mount Rinjani.

The climbing activity which took place at the end of 2021 abandoned climbers who did not recognize the terrain at one of the Mount Rinjani resting posts.

As a result of that neglect, some of them got sick. Likewise, there are reports that some have fainted to hypothermia.

Luckily, BTNGR quickly identified their whereabouts. Evacuation assistance was also successfully carried out by BTNGR together with residents around Mount Rinjani.