A tragic incident has taken the life of 26-year-old Brazilian tourist Juliana Marins, who died after falling into a volcano crater while hiking on Mount Rinjani in Indonesia. Her final texts to her mother, which she sent during her trip, have since been shared by her grieving family, revealing a young woman full of love, courage, and a strong sense of adventure.
Marins had been trekking with a guide when she sent her last message. “I’m not afraid,” she told her mother, expressing her determination and fearlessness. “The only thing that worries me is disappointing you, papi, or my sister. I was raised by a woman who can solve any problem and is not afraid to take the plunge and go after her dreams. I am like that too.”
Her final words also expressed her deep love for her family. “Mami, I love you so much,” she wrote. “I was heartbroken when we said goodbye.”
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The Fatal Fall
The accident occurred on June 21 while Marins was hiking on the popular trekking route in Indonesia. After asking to take a break, Marins was left behind by the guide and the rest of the group. When the guide returned, Marins was nowhere to be found. A search effort was launched, and drone surveillance later located her body, 500 meters deep in the volcano’s crater.
Despite challenging weather and terrain, search teams continued to look for Marins. After four days of searching, on June 24, authorities confirmed that her body had been recovered. Unfortunately, she had not survived the fall.
Family’s Grief Turns to Anger
In the wake of her tragic death, Marins’ family has expressed not only grief but also frustration with the response of the Indonesian rescue teams. In a social media post, they accused the rescue team of responding too slowly, suggesting that Marins could have been saved if they had arrived sooner.
“If the team had arrived within the estimated time of 7 hours, Juliana would still be alive,” they wrote. “Juliana deserved so much more. Now we are going to seek justice, because that is what she deserves.”
The dangerous terrain of the route Marins had been taking has been described by other hikers as treacherous. This, combined with the slow response to the rescue, has raised questions about the safety protocols and accountability of trekking tours in the area.
Credit: @ajulianamarins / Instagram.
Calls for Accountability
Brazilian senator Tereza Cristina also spoke out, demanding an investigation into the rescue efforts. “Juliana was left behind twice, once on the trail, and again after she fell. The Brazilian government must demand a full investigation and accountability,” she said.
Marins’ story has not only struck a chord in Brazil but has also drawn attention globally, bringing forth discussions on safety and accountability in trekking tours. Her family continues to seek justice, and their call for answers has resonated across continents.
Juliana Marins was a young woman full of life and courage, and her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of safety in adventure tourism. Her memory and the call for justice remain strong as her family works to ensure that her death was not in vain.
