Three Buleleng Residents Missing While Hunting Found Safe

Three residents who went missing while hunting in a forest area south of Gerokgak Dam, Gerokgak district, Buleleng, Bali, were found safe on Monday (2 November 2026). They were Kadek Artana, 23, Kadek Sandia, 15, and Putu Kargu Raditya, 21.

The Denpasar Search and Rescue Office had earlier received a report at 5.30am local time on Monday (2 November 2026) from Made Sutar, a member of the Gerokgak police, that the three residents had not returned after going hunting in the forest.

In response, seven personnel from the Buleleng Search and Rescue Post’s rescue team were sent to the search area. The team arrived at the Gerokgak Dam command post at 7am, then held a briefing to allocate tasks with all the SAR units involved.

At 7.30am, the joint SAR team began searching along footpaths in the forest where the missing people were believed to be. The search continued, with teams coordinating and dividing up the search areas.

Progress was made at 10am, when the three people were able to communicate with the joint SAR team. The search continued until they were found.

“At 2.13pm, we found them approximately four to five kilometres from the car park. We then carried out the evacuation to the command post, which took about three hours,” said Kadek Doni Indrawan, coordinator of the Buleleng Search and Rescue Post.

All three were found safe and in good condition, although tired after spending the night in the forest amid rainy weather.

They were first found by relatives who had joined the search with local residents. After confirming they were safe, the joint SAR team evacuated them to the command post. All three arrived at the Gerokgak Dam command post at 5pm and were then taken back to their respective homes.