Volcano Tour Guide Breaks Silence Amidst Fury Over Tourist’s Harrowing Ordeal and Rescue Controversy
Ever wonder how a volcano hike could spiral into a heart-wrenching drama that shakes faith in those meant to save lives? Juliana Marins, a lively 26-year-old Brazilian dancer, embarked on what should have been an exhilarating adventure up Indonesia’s Mount Rinjani—only to tragically slip and fall hundreds of feet, sparking a rescue operation clouded by harsh weather and fierce accusations. Her family, grieving and seeking answers, has publicly called out the local search and rescue team for what they describe as “great negligence.” Did the mountain’s fury conceal mistakes, or is this a harsh reminder of nature’s indifferent peril, even for those prepared to face it? Dive into this story of tragedy, controversy, and a family’s relentless pursuit of justice. LEARN MORE
The family of Juliana Marins, the Brazilian tourist who lost her life after falling from a cliff during a hike on a volcano in Indonesia, has blamed the local search and rescue team for the young woman’s tragic passing.
Authorities announced on Tuesday (June 24) that the body of the 26-year-old dancer had been found on Mount Rinjani, located on Lambok Island, after she slipped and fell hundreds of feet down the active volcano during a hike on Saturday (June 21).
Officials said the rescue operation was hindered by challenges such as bad weather and low visibility, but Juliana’s family accused rescuers of “great negligence.”
“Juliana suffered great negligence on the part of the rescue team,” the family posted on social media on Wednesday (June 25).
Share icon Juliana Marins’ family has blamed the rescue operation for her passing after her body was found on Mount Rinjani
Image credits: resgatejulianamarins / Instagram
“If the team had reached her within the estimated time of 7 hours, Juliana would still be alive,” the family’s post continued.
“Juliana deserved much more! Now we are going to seek justice for her, because that is what she deserves! Don’t give up on Juliana!”
Image credits: ajulianamarins / Instagram
Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency reportedly posted and later deleted a series of photos on Instagram that allegedly showed first responders retrieving Juliana’s body.
“Trekking to Mount Rinjani is an Extreme Tourism Sport,” a caption on one post read.
“Be respectful, understand limitations. When accident happend [sic], do not blame rescuers unless you have walked in their shoes!”
The Brazilian tourist was “abandoned” by her guide after feeling tired during a hike, her family said
Image credits: g1 / YouTube
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil shared, “After four days of work, made difficult by adverse weather, ground and visibility conditions in the region, teams from the Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency found the body of the Brazilian tourist.
“The Brazilian government extends its condolences to the family and friends of the Brazilian tourist for the immense loss caused by this tragic accident.”
Image credits: resgatejulianamarins / Instagram
Juliana’s family also confirmed the tragedy in a statement posted on Instagram.
“Today, the rescue team managed to reach the place where Juliana Marins was,” read the message.
“With immense sadness, we inform you that she did not survive. We remain very grateful for all the prayers, messages of affection and support that we have received.”
Her body was reportedly retrieved from the site by a rescue team and later taken to Indonesia’s Bhayangkara Hospital.
“If the team had reached her within the estimated time of 7 hours, Juliana would still be alive,” the family stated
“This evacuation involved cross-agency collaboration and volunteers, working in extreme terrain with unpredictable weather,” the park informed on social media.
Manoel Marins, Juliana’s father, identified her daughter’s body, according to a report by Brazilian newspaper Folha.
Born in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Juliana had joined six tourists and a tour guide for the excursion on the active volcano.
The dancer and publicist had been backpacking through Asia since February, visiting the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand before arriving in Indonesia.
The family said fundraising accounts are fake after people pretended to be Juliana’s relatives raising money to repatriate her body
Image credits: resgatejulianamarins / Instagram
Juliana’s family claims that she was “abandoned” by the guide on the second day of the hike when she was too tired to continue.
“We found out about this after contacting people who work at the park,” said her sister, Mariana.
“Juliana was in this group, but she got very tired and asked to stop for a while. They kept going, and the guide didn’t stay with her.
“She didn’t know where to go, she didn’t know what to do. When the guide came back, because he saw that she was taking too long, he saw that she had fallen down there.”
