Tourist dies after plunging 70 meters into the crater of an active volcano in Indonesia ‘while posing for sunrise photos’
- The victim was named as Huang Lihong, a 31-year-old tourist from China
A tourist has died after plunging 70 meters into the crater of an active volcano in Indonesia, reportedly while posing for sunrise photos.
The victim, identified as 31-year-old Chinese national Huang Lihong, fell into the Ijen Crater in Banyuwangi, Indonesia, on April 20, according to local media reports.
She and her husband, Zhang Yong, had reportedly climbed the slope with a local guide so they could watch the dramatic sunrise from the volcano’s rim.
But when Lihong posed for the photos, her skirt got stuck, causing her to trip. Finally, she fell backwards over the edge into the crater, in front of her shocked husband.
A photo released after her fall shows the victim posing on what appears to be the edge of the volcano, with one leg raised and clouds of steam and sulfur gas rising behind her.
A photo released after her fall shows Huang Lihong (pictured) posing on what appears to be the edge of the volcano, with one leg raised and clouds of steam and sulfur gas rising behind her.
Local media said she fell 70 meters into the volcano’s mouth and it took rescuers more than two hours to retrieve her body.
Local media said she fell 70 meters into the volcano’s mouth and it took rescuers more than two hours to retrieve her body.
Dwi Putro Sugiarto, head of the Department of Conservation for the Banyuwangi region, said the incident was an accident and tourists should always stay safe while climbing Mount Ijen.
Her body will reportedly be transported to Bali before being taken back to China by plane.
Mount Ijen is part of a group of volcanoes on the border between Banyuwangi and Bondowoso in East Java.
They are known for their blue fire, an effect created by sulfuric acid gas emerging from the crater that ignites and burns.