Injured Swiss climber rescued after falling during hike on Indonesia's Mount Rinjani
JAKARTA: An injured Swiss climber has been rescued after falling during a hike on Indonesia's Mount Rinjani volcano, just weeks after the death of a Brazilian woman there.
The man, identified as 46-year-old Benedikt Emmenegger, broke his leg after falling on July 16, Indonesian news agency Antara reported on July 17, citing Mount Rinjani National Park Authority head Gede Mustika.
The volcano is located on Lombok island, adjacent to the popular tourist island of Bali.
News outlets said that the Swiss national had begun his hike with a group on July 15.
Mustika told Antara that Emmenegger did not fall into a cliff or ravine, and is believed to have slipped while making his way to Lake Segara Anak.
Australian news outlet News.com.au reported that he had slipped and fallen while descending a steep slope on the morning of July 16.
It added that Emmenegger was with his daughter and a local porter at the time.
He was reportedly given first aid treatment by rescuers before he was evacuated by helicopter later that same day.
Trekking company Visit Mount Rinjani said in an Instagram post that Mr Emmenegger was taken to a hospital in Bali for further treatment.
In the post, which was accompanied by a video of a rescue helicopter, the company urged hikers to be cautious during trekking activities.
'Always prioritise safety, watch every step, and avoid rushing to prevent accidents,' it said.
On June 24, 27-year-old Brazilian Juliana Marins was found dead days after she slipped and fell off a cliff on the side of the volcano during a hike.
She was initially located on June 21, but had slipped farther on the sandy terrain of the cliff face. Rescue operations had reportedly been hampered by bad weather in the area.
A week later, a Malaysian climber sustained serious injuries after falling from a height of about 200m while heading towards Lake Segara Anak.
Malaysian newspaper Sinar Harian reported that the climber's injuries included a fractured hip and head wounds.
Indonesian authorities on June 29 announced plans to review hiking procedures and search-and-rescue protocols on Mount Rinjani.
West Nusa Tenggara Deputy Governor Indah Dhamayanti Putri was quoted as saying that the provincial government would review regulations related to hiking procedures and permit requirements on Mount Rinjani for both domestic and international visitors. - The Straits Times/ANN
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