A 26-year-old Brazilian tourist has been missing for more than three days since slipping near the rim of Mount Rinjani, which is among Indonesia's most active and dangerous volcanoes. The tourist, who is Juliana Marins, is said to have slipped off a cliff during a Saturday morning hike in a group, triggering a complicated and ongoing rescue effort. As reported by Indonesian officials, Marins was seen alive on Saturday in drone video taken after her cries were heard by park officials. The footage revealed her sitting and crawling on volcanic ground several hundred meters beneath the main trail. Since then, however, rescue efforts have not been successful due to rugged terrain and heavy fog. "Rescuers went down 300 meters but couldn't locate her. She did not react to shouts," said park officials.

Severe Weather Conditions Hinder Rescuers

The rescue mission started soon after Marins was reported missing at about 06:30 local time on June 22. The fog, however, has been intense and has ruined the visibility, making it impossible for the rescuers to access her safely due to the steep volcanic slopes. Rescuers failed to find her on Sunday at the same location photographed in previous drone images. The use of a thermal drone proved futile because of harsh weather. Authorities confirmed on Monday that she seemed to have slipped further down the mountain, but tough conditions made the rescuers retreat after gaining only 250 meters, with 350 meters remaining to be traversed.

The relatives of Juliana Marins, whose family members have been posting updates on social media, were frustrated with the slow pace of the rescue and with the park keeping the trail open to other hikers. "Juliana is NEEDING HELP! We don't know her condition. She has no food, water, or warm clothes for three days!" the family posted. They also blamed the local trekking guide for leaving Marins behind after she asked them to halt and rest halfway up the mountain. Her sister, Marianna Marins, claimed the guide opted to proceed without prioritizing her safety.

The Brazilian Embassy in Jakarta sent representatives to Lombok to oversee rescue attempts and provide aid in coordination between the Indonesian government and Marins's relatives. The Brazilian foreign ministry issued a statement stating that it is in close contact with the local authorities and that it is ensuring all possible resources are being deployed.

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Mount Rinjani: Popular but Deadly

Mount Rinjani, located at more than 3,700 meters, is the country's second-highest volcano and a hit among adventure tourists. The route is known for its steep inclines, sudden drops, and challenging weather conditions, particularly in the early morning hours. In 2022, a Portuguese climber died when he fell from a summit cliff, and last month, a Malaysian hiker was also killed in an accident of the same nature.

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Satyawan Pudyatmoko, a high-ranking official of Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry, justified why the trail was not closed during the rescue efforts, saying that the evacuation point had been cordoned off and the climbers were now being instructed to steer clear of the area. "Closing the climb would have quite possibly created pandemonium," he said to the BBC, adding that the hikers had come from far away and had advance online bookings. On Tuesday, officials confirmed that rescue operations had resumed as weather conditions slightly improved. The global spotlight is now on Mount Rinjani as Indonesian authorities, with support from Brazilian diplomats, continue their efforts to save Juliana Marins.