Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Immigration Authorities in Singaraja, Bali, have deported another foreign tourist for illegally climbing Mount Agung without a local guide.
Immigration officials confirmed that an Italian national, identified by the initials BASM (36), was sent back to his home country for violating local climbing regulations in Karangasem, Bali.
Head of Singaraja Immigration Office, Hendra Setiawan, stated that BASM was initially detained along with a Norwegian national, identified as BG, who had already been deported earlier.
“We apprehended two individuals. The Norwegian national was deported first, and the Italian national was deported last Saturday via I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport under strict supervision,” Hendra said on Tuesday (February 25, 2025), as reported by Berita Satu.
BASM entered Indonesia on February 12, 2025, through I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport and held a visit permit valid until March 13, 2025.
According to Detik, Hendra states that BASM was deported for failing to comply with Indonesian regulations, specifically a circular issued by the Forestry and Environmental Office (No. B.24.500.4.1/95/UPTD.KPHBT/DKLH 2025).
The directive prohibits climbing Mount Agung without a local guide, aimed at preventing risks associated with extreme weather conditions. This regulation is enforced under Article 75(1) in conjunction with Article 122(a) of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration.
Hendra emphasized that authorities have conducted awareness campaigns regarding these rules.
BASM was officially deported by the Singaraja Immigration Office on February 22, 2025. He was sent back to Italy via Virgin Australia flight VA 66, which departed from Denpasar to Sydney, with a final destination in Gold Coast, Australia.
Norwegian Tourist Deported
Prior to BASM’s deportation, Singaraja Immigration also expelled a Norwegian national from Bali, identified as BG (41), for the same violation. BG was not only deported but also subjected to an immigration blacklist, preventing his return to Indonesia.
According to Kompas, BG was apprehended by immigration officials on Saturday (February 15, 2025). “Upon receiving the report, we immediately dispatched a team to the location and took the foreign national in for further investigation,” Hendra said on Monday (February 24, 2025).
Local authorities had warned BG against climbing without a guide due to safety concerns. However, he refused to comply and even attempted to deceive local officers. BG was found to have taken photographs of a warning banner but still ignored the restrictions.
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Immigration records show that BG entered Bali on February 2, 2025, through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. He was traveling on a visa-on-arrival (VOA), valid until March 3, 2025.
As a consequence of his actions, BG was deported and blacklisted. His deportation took place on February 20, 2025, via AirAsia X Berhad flight D7799 to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Multiple Violations by Foreign Tourists
Since January 2025, local guides have reported at least six foreign nationals attempting to climb Mount Agung without proper supervision.
Hendra reiterated that following the issuance of the Forestry and Environmental Office’s directive, awareness campaigns have been conducted, including the installation of warning billboards in Mount Agung’s climbing areas.
Hendra stated that these warnings must be respected by all climbers, including foreign nationals, to prevent any unwanted incidents due to unauthorized climbing.
Singaraja Immigration reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing immigration laws, emphasizing that deportation and blacklisting remain key measures against foreigners who disregard Indonesian regulations.
(Raidi/Agung)
