Swiss Climber Who Fell On Mount Rinjani Evacuated By Helicopter To Bali

Climbers from Switzerland when evacuated using helicopters, Wednesday (16/7)/PHOTO: Public Relations of Basarnas Bali

DENPASAR - A Swiss climber, Benedikt Emmengger, had an accident while climbing Mount Rinjani, in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Emmengger started climbing through the Sembalun route on Tuesday (15/7), and fell on the Pelawan Sembalun route to Segara Anak Lake. Initial reports were received from Yarman, Head of the Mount Rinjani National Park (BTNGR).

Head of the Denpasar Search and Rescue Office I Nyoman Sidakarya said the Denpasar Search and Rescue office coordinated with the Mataram Search and Rescue office so that they could act quickly to evacuate by deploying helicopters.

Meanwhile, the Mataram Search and Rescue Office has also moved the ground Search and Rescue Unit (RSU) from the Kayangan Search and Rescue Post to the scene.

At the scene of the incident the victim received initial medical treatment from one of the climbers who happened to be a doctor.

"The victim was evacuated to Segara Anak Lake by the ground SRU in a safe condition with a broken hand and also a broken leg," said Sidakarya, Wednesday, July 16.

This rescue operation involved coordination across agencies and various elements, such as the Mount Rinjani National Park Center (BTNGR), TNI, Polri, BPBD, East Lombok SAR Unit, EMHC, Rinjani Squad, Firefighters, Rinjani Volunteers, porters, guides, and other related elements. The entire joint team is currently synergizing to reach the location of the victim and provide immediate assistance.

Sidakarya also visited SGi Air Bali's office to coordinate to immediately move the helicopter to the scene. At 15.45 WITA SGi Air Bali was flown, although they were constrained by fog, they finally arrived at around 16.22 WITA.

"After being evacuated from Mount Rinjani, the SGi Air Bali helicopter flew back to Bali, and landed at around 17.30 WITA. Then Emmengger was taken to the BIMC Hospital for further treatment, because it was suspected that he had broken bones in the upper and lower movement devices," he said.