Tragic fall at Ijen volcano: Tourist dies after ignoring safety warnings
A Chinese tourist fell into the crater of the Indonesian volcano Ijen. 31-year-old Huang Lihong and her husband Zhang Yong were touring East Java province with a guide. Despite warnings, the couple did not keep a safe distance from the crater, leading to a tragic accident.
Local police report that the 31-year-old tourist from China fell from a height of about 75 metres and died instantly. "The incident was declared an unfortunate accident," said service representatives quoted by "The Independent". Initially, the woman maintained a safe distance from the edge of the volcano's crater while taking pictures, according to the guide.
The guide added that he warned the couple that getting close to the crater was dangerous. She was walking backwards to get as near as possible to a tree growing near the edge. Witnesses say that she accidentally stepped on her long, flowing clothing, causing her to fall into the over 70-metre-deep abyss.
The woman had no chance of survival. It took the rescue team more than two hours to recover the woman's body. There were reports that the distraught husband of the 31-year-old, who witnessed the tragedy, was hospitalised.
The dramatic accident occurred on Saturday, April 20, at around 3:00 PM GMT. The last picture of the 31-year-old tourist, taken just before her fall from the edge of the crater, has probably appeared online.
This is not the first accident at the volcano
Ijen volcano draws many tourists with its hallmark "blue fire". The volcano emits a blue light due to the combustion of sulfur-containing gases.
The accident involving a tourist from China was not the first to happen at the volcano complex. In February of this year, a 53-year-old tourist from Poland was found dead. His remains were discovered on a climbing route during a hike to Kawah Ijen.
In September 2015, a 68-year-old Swiss man climbing Ijen started experiencing breathing difficulties. He collapsed at one point. His life could not be saved.
