A joint SAR team finally completed a dramatic rescue mission for an illegal hiker named Cakra (18) who fell into a 375-meter-deep ravine in the Mount Semeru area, East Java. The victim was successfully evacuated alive on Friday (5/6) night after a process that took four days.
Head of the Surabaya SAR Office, Nanang Sigit, explained that the terrain faced by the rescue team was extremely harsh. To evacuate the victim, who suffered serious leg injuries, the team was forced to use the slope rescue method with a folding stretcher and rope system. Field challenges were exacerbated by a lack of footholds, the threat of landslides, as well as exposure to volcanic dust and thick fog that frequently obstructed personnel visibility.
The incident began when the victim recklessly entered the Mount Semeru area through an illegal route at Candi Jawar Purbakala on Saturday (30/5), even though the mountain was still closed due to volcanic activity. The victim fell into the ravine on Monday (1/6), but fortunately managed to send location coordinates to his family before being found by the SAR team, who hiked for eight hours to reach the spot.
The process of pulling the stretcher from the depth of the ravine was carried out in stages starting Thursday (4/6) with extra tight security along the evacuation route. Upon arrival at the post on Friday night, a medical team from the Malang Regency Health Office immediately provided emergency treatment before handing the victim over to his family for further care.
The rescue operation, which involved at least 60 joint personnel, was officially closed after ensuring all members and equipment returned safely. Relevant authorities reiterated a strong warning to the public against illegal hiking, especially given Mount Semeru's fluctuating volcanic activity, which poses a severe risk to life safety.
