Police Probe Tourism Fee Flow After Austrian Tourists' Deaths at Cunca Wulang

Detectives from the Manggarai Barat Regional Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit are expanding their probe into the deaths of two Austrian tourists at the Cunca Wulang waterfall attraction in Mbeliling District, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Authorities are now tracing the flow of tourism entry fees collected at the site, as these charges appear disproportionate to the safety facilities available.

The Austrian couple, Jurgen Perjul (55) and Astrid Perjul (57), died after a 20-metre-high suspension bridge collapsed beneath them. Police found evidence of official fee collection at the site, with funds directed to the Manggarai Barat Regency Tourism, Creative Economy, and Culture Office and Cunca Wulang Village Government.

“Mismatch exists between tourist fees collected and safety infrastructure maintenance,” said Manggarai Barat Police Chief AKBP Christian Kadang on Friday (28/5/2026). “Basic safety measures, such as warning signs at hazardous spots and travel insurance for visitors, were conspicuously absent,” he added.

Evidence including visitor registration books and site management documents has been seized. Kadang stated police are examining the safety management and infrastructure fitness of the popular natural attraction to determine criminal negligence. After interviewing five witnesses, investigators plan to question relevant regency departments responsible for overseeing the site.

Previously, the police had interrogated key witnesses including the village chief, ticket booth staff, local guides, the victims’ hired driver, and the local security officer who first secured the scene.