Chinese Tourist Dies After Falling Into Active Volcano Crater in Indonesia

A 31-year-old Chinese woman, Huang Lihong, tragically died after falling 250 feet (76.2m) into the active Ijen Volcano crater in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia on April 20, 2024. The incident occurred while Huang was posing for photos with her husband, Zhang Yong, 32, during a guided tour at the Ijen Volcano Tourism Park.

According to local authorities, Huang lost her footing on the crater's edge and tumbled backwards into the volcano. "The victim fell into the crater when she was taking pictures with her husband," said Budi Santosa, head of the Banyuwangi Disaster Management Agency. Rescue efforts took over two hours to retrieve Huang's body from the crater.

The Ijen Volcano, known for its stunning blue fire phenomenon, acidic crater lake, and sulfur mining, is a popular tourist destination that is part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks. However, the site remains open despite the volcano regularly emitting small amounts of harmful gases, which have previously prompted warnings for tourists to wear gas masks.

Why this matters: This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks involved in pursuing thrills and photo opportunities in hazardous natural settings, where safety should always be the top priority. It also raises questions about the responsibility of tourism operators and local authorities in ensuring the well-being of visitors at potentially dangerous sites.

Huang's body is being transported to Bali before being sent back to China. The incident follows the deaths of other tourists at the Ijen Volcano site, including a 53-year-old Polish tourist in February 2024 and a 68-year-old Swiss man in 2015. "The guide had warned them about the dangers in the crater," said Arief Suryono, a spokesperson for the Banyuwangi police.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese woman, 31, died after falling 250ft into Ijen Volcano in Indonesia.
• Incident occurred while posing for photos with husband during guided tour.
• Ijen Volcano is a popular tourist destination with known safety risks.
• This is the latest in a series of tourist deaths at the volcano site.
• Authorities warn visitors about dangers, but site remains open to tourism.