Volcano Tour Guide Breaks Silence Amidst Fury Over Tourist’s Harrowing Ordeal and Rescue Controversy
They hiker’s loved ones thanked volunteers who “courageously” collaborated to help speed up the rescue process
Image credits: agam_rinjani / Instagram
According to Brazilian outlet G1, the hiker fell about 300 m (approx. 980 ft) below the original trail. Around three hours later, she was located by a group of tourists passing by the site, who used a drone to record and share the videos showing Juliana still alive.
Image credits: eyes_globe / X
The 20-year-old guide, Ali Musthofa, refuted the family’s claims in an interview with O Globo.
“Actually, I didn’t leave her, but I waited three minutes in front of her. After about 15 or 30 minutes, Juliana didn’t show up,” he said.
“I looked for her at the last resting place, but I couldn’t find her. I told her I would wait for her ahead. I told her to rest.”
Ali said he realized Juliana had fallen when he saw the light of a flashlight and heard the voice of a young woman calling for help.
“I told her I would help her. I tried desperately to tell Juliana to wait for help.”
Juliana’s sister previously accused Indonesian authorities of sharing a “forged” video showing a rescue that never took place
QUAL MOTIVO DA COMEMORAÇÃO 😭❓O c9rpo de Juliana Marins foi resgatado nesta quarta-feira (25) do Monte Rinjani, na Indonésia! Em nossa opinião, mesmo sendo voluntários ou não, não existe motivos para comemoração! O silêncio seguidos de abraços entre si seria melhor 🖤 pic.twitter.com/w9UTg6Oc8n
— realengotv (@realengotv) June 25, 2025
The fall occurred about 6:30 a.m. local time while Juliana and the group were en route to the peak.
In the hours that followed, the tourist’s family accused Indonesian authorities and the Brazilian Embassy of sharing a “forged” video of a rescue that never took place.
Image credits: resgatejulianamarins / Instagram
“The information that the rescue team brought her water, food, and clothing, as reported by the Indonesian authorities and the Brazilian embassy in Jakarta, is not true,” Juliana’s sister stated. At the time, Juliana had been missing for approximately 36 hours.
“All the videos that were made are lies, including the one of the rescue team reaching her.
“The video was forged to look like that, along with this message associated with it. We even celebrated. It was a shock to find out that it was a lie.”
Born in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Juliana had been backpacking through Asia since February
Image credits: ajulianamarins / Instagram
On Thursday, Juliana’s family thanked volunteers who “courageously” collaborated to help speed up the rescue process and said their gesture “will never be forgotten.”
“We know about the extremely adverse conditions and the great risks you faced. It was thanks to your dedication and experience that the team was finally able to reach Juliana and allow us, at least, this moment of farewell”, reads the social media post.
Juliana’s father, who had previously said that the Brazilian Embassy had not offered any support for the family, paid tribute to his daughter and remembered her “remarkable” presence.
“Your presence stays in our home, in your room, in your favorite place on the sofa in the living room,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Make your presence remarkable in the lives of those who have had the privilege to know and walk with you.”
Image credits: ajulianamarins / Instagram
Juliana’s sister, Mariana, wrote, “You’ve always been with me through it all, even through the worst of times. We always said we would move mountains for each other, and from here in Brazil, I tried to move one there in Indonesia for you. Sorry it wasn’t enough, sis.
“You would be a great aunt. Your nephews will know all about you. Don’t worry about it. But they won’t have the privilege to hang out with you. And it has finished me.
“My twin sister, 5 years apart, who has loved me, protected me, encouraged me, welcomed me. Life is going to be so hard without you.”
