Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A joint search and rescue (SAR) team evacuated dozens of climbers from Mount Bawakaraeng in South Sulawesi’s Gowa district after many suffered health problems following celebrations of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day. One climber was confirmed dead.
Makassar SAR operations chief Andi Sultan said 32 climbers reported health issues during the ascent. “As of Sunday afternoon, August 17, we recorded 32 climbers who experienced trouble and were assisted by standby teams,” Andi said in a statement, Sunday (August 17).
Most of the cases involved hypothermia, while others suffered gastric problems or became separated from their groups. One of the climbers, a 24-year-old man from Bone district, died after suffering severe hypothermia at the summit.
The victim had joined a cross-country group trekking via the Bulu Ballea trail to take part in Independence Day events on the peak. The victim with his group consisting 16-member began its climb on August 12 and reached the summit on Saturday, August 16.
However, on Sunday morning, the man was found in a hypothermic state by SAR volunteers. “Despite initial treatment by the team, his condition did not improve, so he was carried down on a stretcher for more intensive care,” Andi said.
The climber was pronounced dead at Post 8 while being evacuated. Police forensic officers who accompanied the rescue team confirmed his death.
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His body arrived at the Bulu Ballea base camp around 7:05 p.m. local time before being transferred to a nearby health center for examination and then handed over to his family in Bone.
According to the SAR command post, more than 4,100 climbers registered to scale Mount Bawakaraeng for the Independence Day celebration.
Climbers were entering the mountain through several checkpoints including Bulu Ballea, Lembanna, Tassoso, and Panaikang. SAR states that at least 32 climbers required medical attention, with one fatality recorded due to severe hypothermia.
(Raidi/Agung)
