A tragic incident occurred as a tourist lost her life after accidentally falling into an active volcano while attempting to capture photographs.
Huang Lihong, a Chinese national, fell into the renowned Ijen Crater in Banyuwangi, Indonesia, plunging approximately 250 feet (76.2m) to her demise in front of her husband.
The incident unfolded on Saturday, April 20, when Huang stumbled while taking photos, leading to her clothing becoming entangled on the rocky surface before she disappeared into the crater.
Reports from local news outlets indicate that the couple, accompanied by a local guide, had ascended the slope to witness the picturesque sunrise from the volcano’s rim and to capture photographs of the scenery.
During the photo session, Huang accidentally fell backward over the edge of the slope. A photo captured just before the accident shows Huang posing on the rim with one leg raised on a rock, with steam and sulfur gas rising in the background.
Situated in East Java, Indonesia, the Ijen volcano complex is renowned for its blue fire, acidic crater lake, and labor-intensive sulfur mining, attracting tourists willing to embark on the trek.
The active crater has a diameter of 722 meters (2,369 feet), a surface area of 0.41 square km (0.16 square miles), and a depth of 200 meters (660 feet) at its deepest point.
After Huang’s fall, rescuers spent over two hours retrieving her body and transporting it out of the hazardous area.
Dwi Putro Sugiarto, the head of the Department of Conservation for the Banyuwangi region, addressed the media, emphasizing the accident’s accidental nature and urging tourists to prioritize safety when scaling Mount Ijen.
Local media reports indicate that Huang’s body will be transported to Bali before being repatriated to China by air.
The broader region, known as the Ijen Geopark, encompasses various geological, biological, and cultural sites, including the Mount Ijen area, Pulau Merah Beach, and Alas Purwo National Park. In 2023, it was designated as part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks network due to its diverse array of natural and cultural features.
RIP Huang.
