Brazilian Tourist Dies After 1,600-Foot Fall into Active Indonesian Volcano Crater

A young Brazilian tourist’s dream backpacking adventure through Southeast Asia ended in tragedy after she fell more than 1,600 feet into the crater of an active volcano in Indonesia, where she remained trapped for four days before her body was recovered.

Juliana Marins, a 26-year-old publicist and dancer from Niterói, near Rio de Janeiro, was hiking up Mount Rinjani on the Indonesian island of Lombok on Saturday morning when she slipped from a narrow trail along the rim of the volcano’s crater. Despite surviving the initial fall, Marins was gravely injured and left without food, water, or shelter in the depths of the crater.

Her death has sparked sorrow across Brazil and among the global backpacking community, where she was known for documenting her solo journey across Southeast Asia through vibrant and often daring social media content.

Marins had been traveling alone since February, sharing moments from her visits to Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Her posts showed a young woman brimming with energy—riding mopeds through jungle roads, leaping into crystal-clear sinkholes, and laughing alongside fellow travelers she met along the way.

In what would become her final video, Marins was captured at the summit of Mount Rinjani with a fellow traveler, Federica, joking about the thick cloud cover obstructing the view.

“The view is amazing, you can tell it was so worth it,” Federica quipped sarcastically in the clip.

Juliana laughed in response, adding, “Yeah, we did it for the view, so I’m glad, amazing!”

But the lighthearted moment masked the harsh reality of their arduous ascent—an approximately 1,500-meter climb to the summit of Indonesia’s second-highest volcano, known for its breathtaking but treacherous landscape.

Shortly after reaching the top, Marins became fatigued. According to East Lombok Police spokesperson Nikolas Osman, a guide advised her to rest while the rest of the group continued ahead. When the guide returned to retrieve her, she was gone.

Emergency services were alerted, and by 2:32 p.m. local time on Saturday, the first rescue team was dispatched. Over the next several days, six more teams attempted to locate and reach her, aided by helicopters, industrial equipment, and drones. Dense fog and frigid temperatures complicated efforts.

Distressing drone footage released by authorities showed Marins alive and trapped in a rocky pit, injured but calling for help. Tourists in the area had heard her screams, prompting the frantic search and rescue operation.

Despite locating her position, terrain and weather delays meant rescuers couldn’t reach her immediately. When a team descended on Monday, she was no longer in the same location, leading to further complications.

It wasn’t until Tuesday that Marins was located again—this time, tragically, she was no longer alive.

Her family confirmed her death on social media, writing: “Today, the rescue team managed to reach the place where Juliana Marins was. With great 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.”

The West Nusa Tenggara governor, Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, confirmed that three helicopters had been deployed during the search. “One helicopter from the Indonesian Armed Forces and national search and rescue agency (Basarnas) is expected to arrive at Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport (BIZAM) around 2 p.m. local time today,” he told reporters earlier in the week.

Marins’ story has resonated far beyond her hometown in Brazil. Her journey, fueled by a spirit of adventure and independence, had captivated followers from around the world. Each post from her Instagram account reflected the joy and freedom she found in exploring new cultures, meeting strangers who became friends, and chasing sunsets across distant landscapes.

Her companion during the Mount Rinjani hike, Federica, told Brazilian media outlet G1 that the two women had only met the day before their trek. “We were both traveling alone,” she recalled. “We made it all the way to the top. It was very difficult.”

The tragedy has also raised questions about hiking safety and oversight for tourists visiting challenging natural destinations such as Mount Rinjani, which attracts thousands of international visitors each year. Though typically safe with guided tours, the steep trails and unpredictable weather conditions can prove deadly without adequate rest or preparation.

For now, Juliana Marins’ death serves as a painful reminder of both the beauty and danger of adventure travel. Her story has drawn messages of mourning and reflection from fellow travelers, friends, and strangers alike, many of whom were touched by her zest for life and courage to explore the unknown.

She leaves behind not just grieving loved ones, but a digital legacy filled with moments of laughter, discovery, and the raw emotion of a journey that, though tragically cut short, inspired many.

If you or someone you know is planning a hike on a high-altitude or remote trail, experts advise hiring certified guides, staying with a group, carrying proper survival gear, and always checking weather conditions beforehand.