Hikers evacuated from Mount Bawakaraeng rises to 26

A joint SAR team is continuing rescue operations to evacuate 26 hikers, up from an earlier figure of 16, who suffered injuries or hypothermia while taking part in a Red and White flag ceremony to mark the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia on Mount Bawakaraeng, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi.

“Provisional data from the special standby team shows that 26 hikers have so far been dealt with after experiencing problems, consisting of seven men and 19 women,” said Makassar Basarnas Rescue Commander Darul in a video statement received by journalists in Gowa on Monday evening.

He explained that the joint SAR team is currently working hard to evacuate a number of hikers at several points, including Post 5, Post 7 and Post 8 on the Lembanna route, Post 10 at the summit of Mount Bawakaraeng, and the Tassoso route.

“Our team has successfully evacuated 14 people, who have received medical treatment, while 12 others are still in the process of being brought down to the Aju Bulu Balea post,” he said.

The problems suffered by the victims varied, including leg injuries, cramps during the descent, severe physical exhaustion, slipping and falling resulting in spinal injuries, and hypothermia attacks, or a drastic drop in body temperature, while at the mountain summit.

“We are carrying out the evacuation process in stages, starting from the summit to Post 8, and then continued by the team at Post 7. It is then handed over to the team at Post 5 to be temporarily sheltered, before being brought down to the Aju Bulu Balea post for further treatment,” he said.

So far, a number of hikers who have been evacuated after experiencing physical problems such as hypothermia, leg injuries and leg cramps are being treated by medical teams at the Tinggi Moncong Community Health Centre for further care.

Data from the Red and White Standby Post recorded that the total number of registered hikers rose to 3,786. This number was spread across four entry routes on the main access points to the summit of Mount Bawakaraeng.

These routes included the Bulu Balea Registration Post with 2,033 people, the Tassoso Post with 1,081 people, the Kanreapia Post with 422 people, and the Lembanna Post with 250 people. The heavy flow of hikers on all these routes continues to be monitored by the joint team to keep pace with the dynamics of the terrain.

The Red and White Standby Operation ran from 15 to 18 August 2026 and involved 295 joint personnel from Basarnas, SAR communities, volunteers and medical staff. Personnel were deployed at eight strategic points, including the mountain summit and Ramma Valley, to respond quickly to any emergency.

Head of the Makassar Basarnas Office, Muhammad Arif Anwar, said the Red and White Special Standby Operation was supported by a joint SAR team deployed at eight monitoring points, namely the Lembanna Post, the Aju Bulu Balea Post, Post 5, Post 7 and Post 8 on the Lembanna route, the summit of Mount Bawakaraeng, Ramma Valley, and the Tassoso route.

Anwar had previously reminded hikers to prioritise safety and not force themselves to reach the mountain summit, and he urged climbers to always maintain their physical condition to avoid health problems during the climb.

“This is not just about maintaining the climbing routes. This is about ensuring that everyone who comes to commemorate independence can return safely to their families. The spirit of independence must go hand in hand with care and humanity,” he added.