Fact Check: "Rescue efforts hampered by extreme terrain and thick fog."
What We Know
On June 24, 2025, news emerged about a tragic incident involving a Brazilian tourist, Juliana Marins, who fell while hiking on Mount Rinjani, an active volcano in Indonesia. Reports indicate that she fell approximately 1,600 feet and was unreachable for three days before being found deceased by rescue workers (New York Times). The Indonesian authorities confirmed that the rescue efforts were significantly hindered by "extreme terrain and foggy weather" (BBC).
Rescue operations were complicated by poor visibility conditions, which affected the use of thermal drones and made it difficult for rescuers to locate and reach her (BBC). The Mount Rinjani National Park's Instagram account also noted that a rescue helicopter was unable to fly due to adverse weather conditions (New York Times).
Analysis
The claim that rescue efforts were hampered by extreme terrain and thick fog is supported by multiple credible sources. The Indonesian search and rescue team, led by Muhamad Hariyadi, described the operation as "very risky" due to the challenging conditions (New York Times). Reports from both the BBC and other news outlets corroborate this, stating that the extreme terrain and foggy weather were significant barriers to the rescue efforts (BBC, Yahoo News).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are reputable news organizations that adhere to journalistic standards. The information provided is consistent across various reports, indicating a consensus on the difficulties faced by rescue teams. Additionally, eyewitness accounts from fellow hikers and family members further emphasize the challenging conditions, noting that visibility was severely limited during the rescue attempts (BBC).
Conclusion
The claim that rescue efforts were hampered by extreme terrain and thick fog is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that both the physical challenges of the terrain and the adverse weather conditions significantly impeded the rescue operations for Juliana Marins.
