An accident on the morning of 24/5 at the Cunca Wulang waterfall tourist area, located two hours' drive from Labuan Bajo town, claimed the lives of Astrid, 57, and Jürgen P., 55, from Vienna, Austria.
The couple was filming a video with their tour guide when the incident occurred. The guide recounted, "They were walking side-by-side, smiling for the camera. After they had walked about 10 meters, I suddenly heard a loud cracking sound, like a large branch breaking." Within seconds, the bridge's wooden planks collapsed, sending the two tourists plummeting approximately 20 meters onto rocks by the river.
Fathur Rahman, head of the local search and rescue agency, confirmed that authorities recovered the bodies of the two individuals from the riverbed later that afternoon. Rescue efforts faced challenges due to the steep terrain and slippery rocks surrounding the waterfall. The victims' bodies were subsequently transported to Komodo Regional Hospital in Labuan Bajo.
 |
Two tourists from Vienna died in a suspension bridge collapse in Indonesia. Photo: Krone-Collage/inp.polri.go.id, Basarnas Maumere Doc
Christian Kadang, the West Manggarai police chief, stated that an investigation is underway, and the bridge area remains closed until further notice. He emphasized, "Our priority is to collect evidence and determine the cause of the accident." He also noted that the local tourism management agency is under review regarding its responsibilities.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry confirmed the deaths of the couple and is coordinating with local authorities.
According to Hey Bali News, many suspension bridges in remote areas of Indonesia are built using local materials and undergo infrequent inspections. Due to the high-humidity rainforest environment, wooden structures in these regions often deteriorate rapidly from weather exposure.
Cunca Wulang is a renowned natural attraction on Flores island, part of East Nusa Tenggara province. Situated about 30 km east of the tourist town of Labuan Bajo, it draws many international visitors, similar to the Komodo archipelago. The waterfall features a natural rock canyon surrounded by tropical rainforest, with turquoise waters characteristic of its limestone terrain.
To reach the waterfall, visitors must trek for 20-30 minutes from the parking area, navigating through the forest, crossing the suspension bridge, and following cliffside paths.
Serious tourist accidents in Indonesia's pristine natural areas are not uncommon, often attributed to rugged terrain and limited infrastructure. Last December, four members of a Spanish family of six died after their boat capsized off Flores island. In June, a Brazilian female tourist also died after falling from Mount Rinjani on Lombok island.
An Thien (According to Malymail, Hey Bali News, Kronen Zeitung)
