Climber On Mount Lemongan Lumajang Survives On The Bank After 18 Hours Lost

Photo archive: Climber reported missing M. Aldy Laksmana was found safe on Mount Lemongan, Monday (14/7/2025). BETWEEN/HO-BPBD Lumajang

LUMAJANG - The Lumajang Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) said a climber M. Aldy Laksmana (16), a class XI student at Tekung State Vocational School who was climbing Mount Lemongan, Lumajang Regency, East Java was found safe after 18 hours reported missing because he was lost.

"Aldy was found weak on the brink side about 1 kilometer from the main route," said Lumajang BPBD Center for Disaster Management Operations Control (Pusdalops) Dwi Nurcahyo as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 16.

The victim was reported missing while climbing round and round in a day on Mount Lemongan with two colleagues, Hakik Fano Ramadhan (SMKN 2 Lumajang) and M. Johan (SMP Ibnusina) without adult assistance on Sunday (13/7).

After successfully reaching the top, Aldy reportedly was dazed and suddenly ran back to the top while on the way down, then his friends only found his bag and jacket, then reported to the climbing post officer at around 14:00 WIB.

"The joint team from the BPBD TRC, Tagana Social Service P3A, Babinsa, and other volunteers immediately compiled a search. The evacuation was only carried out on Monday (14/7) morning because of the dark terrain and lack of lighting," he said.

The search was also assisted by reports of a climber who heard human screams, so the team searched until they found the victim in a weak condition on the side of the ravine about 1 kilometer from the main line.

"The evacuation was carried out manually and the victim was immediately taken to the Green Laskar Post for medical examination by PSC 119. After being declared stable, he was sent home to his family," he said.

BPBD Lumajang emphasized the importance of safety education for beginner students and climbers who want to climb to the mountains.

"Although it looks easy, climbing still holds many potential dangers. Children and adolescents need to be equipped with basic climbing knowledge, including navigation, natural ethics, and understanding of the risk of getting lost, dehydration, or panic," he said.

Dwi explained that the Lumajang BPBD will coordinate with schools, village officials, and tourism managers so that every student climb must be registered and get a safety briefing. This is not to limit, but to prevent events that could endanger lives.

"From this incident, BPBD hopes that the public will not only look at the dramatic side, but take valuable lessons that safety is a shared responsibility, and education is the most powerful preventive tool in open nature activities," he said.