The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Authority (BB TNBTS) has once again taken decisive action against illegal hiking activities in the Mount Semeru area. A total of four individuals were detained by authorities after being found entering the conservation area without official permits via an unauthorized route.
Head of BB TNBTS, Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha, explained that the disclosure of this case began with the apprehension of three individuals—consisting of two guides and one porter—in the Taman Satriyan National Park Management Resort (RPTN) area, Malang Regency, on June 15, 2026. From the information gathered, officers learned of another hiker left behind on the illegal trail due to a leg injury.
In response to the emergency, a joint team consisting of TNBTS officers, Registered Mount Semeru Climbing Guides (PPGST), and Gimbal Alas volunteers immediately launched a rescue operation. The victim was eventually found on June 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM WIB and successfully evacuated from the forest area by midnight. The hiker was then rushed to Sumber Sentosa Hospital in Tumpang to receive intensive medical care.
BB TNBTS emphasized that further handling of this legal violation has been handed over to the Forestry Law Enforcement Agency for Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara. In addition to this case, national park management also noted an increase in surveillance efforts, with a total of 13 other illegal hikers previously caught in operations at Ranupani and Taman Satriyan points.
Rudijanta reiterated his warning to the public to comply with existing hiking regulations. Aside from facing legal sanctions, trespassing on illegal routes carries high risks that threaten life, especially given Mount Semeru's extreme terrain and difficult access for evacuation operations.
