Missing Hiker Found Safe at Kawah Ijen
A joint search and rescue (SAR) team in Banyuwangi, East Java, successfully located a hiker named Muhammad Dzikri Maulana (16), a resident of Tamansari Village, Licin District, who had been reported missing since Wednesday, 18 February 2026. The individual was found safe in a cliff area near the Kawah Ijen Natural Tourism Park on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
Head of the Banyuwangi SAR Office, I Made Oka Astawa, said Maulana was found on the second day of the search at approximately 4.15pm local time. “Thank God the individual was found safe, though in a weakened condition. He was located in a cliff area approximately 890 metres from the point where he went missing,” Oka Astawa said in Banyuwangi on Thursday evening.
Following the discovery, the joint SAR team immediately carried out an evacuation at 5.50pm, bringing the hiker down to Paltuding Post before transporting him by ambulance to the Licin Community Health Centre for medical treatment.
Oka Astawa explained that the second day of the SAR operation utilised thermal drones and jungle rescue equipment. “Today’s SAR operation took place under overcast conditions with light rain, but search efforts were maximised with the support of thermal drones,” he said.
According to Oka Astawa, the SAR operation involved various agencies including the Rescue Team from the Banyuwangi Search and Rescue Office, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), volunteers, tourism operators, village officials, and the victim’s family.
“We extend our gratitude to all parties involved for their dedication and solid cooperation in this humanitarian operation. We also urge all hikers to always follow safety procedures, stay with their groups, and pay attention to weather conditions when undertaking climbs,” he said.
It was previously reported that the hiker went missing on the Kawah Ijen Natural Tourism Park trail in Licin District, Banyuwangi Regency, on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. Muhammad Dzikri Maulana, a resident of Tamansari Village, Licin District, was known to have departed for the Kawah Ijen climb at 2.00am on the same day.
“Initial information was received from Mr Evil of BSI SAR Volunteers at 8.05pm, indicating that the hiker had set out with four companions,” said Banyuwangi SAR Head Made Oka in Banyuwangi on Wednesday evening.