Police Fully Close Cunca Wulang Waterfall as Austrian Tourist Death Investigation Takes Priority

Police have fully closed Cunca Wulang Waterfall tourist site in Manggarai Barat Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), effective Sunday (24/5). The decisive move follows a tragic collapse of a wooden suspension bridge that killed two Austrian tourists. The temporary closure is to facilitate a thorough investigation and prevent further accidents. The victims, identified as Jurgen, 54, and Astrid, 56, were Austrian nationals. The incident occurred around 10:00 AM WITA as the victims were trekking with a local guide. Reports indicate they had requested to be filmed while crossing the wooden suspension bridge before the collapse. However, after a few steps, the wooden structure suddenly broke and collapsed. The victims fell approximately 10 metres into a rocky riverbed, sustaining fatal injuries on impact. A joint SAR team and Manggarai Barat police officers struggled through rugged, slippery terrain to evacuate the bodies to Komodo Pratama Hospital for medical examination. Police have cordoned off the bridge area and restricted access to the tourist site to preserve the crime scene during the investigation. Manggarai Barat Police Chief Christian Kadang stated that the case is receiving top priority, with the investigation focusing on the bridge’s structural integrity and potential negligence in managing the tourist facility. ‘We take tourist safety in Manggarai Barat seriously. Our team is currently processing the crime scene to inspect the collapsed bridge’s technical condition,’ Kadang emphasised. Investigators are scheduled to question the site managers regarding safety protocols and maintenance schedules for the tourist infrastructure. Given Manggarai Barat’s status as an international tourist destination, the police are closely coordinating with the Indonesian Police International Division and the Austrian Embassy in Jakarta. ‘We are in constant coordination with the Austrian Embassy on administrative procedures, securing the victims’ belongings, and repatriating the bodies,’ Kadang added. Police have also issued stern warnings to all tourism site managers in Manggarai Barat to conduct regular safety inspections of facilities to ensure visitor safety in future.