Traditional Congko Wakar Ritual Held After Austrian Tourists' Fatal Fall at Cunca Wulang Waterfall in Labuan Bajo

Manggarai Barat Regency’s Tourism, Creative Economy, and Culture Office (Parekrafbud) conducted the Congko Wakar traditional ritual at Cunca Wulang Waterfall in Mbeliling District, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The ceremony took place at the site where two Austrian tourists died after falling from a suspension bridge in the popular Labuan Bajo destination.

Led by local elder Thomas Pura from Wersawe village, the ritual aimed to respectfully escort the souls of the deceased tourists back to their homeland and prevent similar tragedies. Thomas explained that the ceremony began at the traditional compang altar, where a blessed egg and candle were offered to seek ancestral permission for the proceedings. The procession then moved to the incident site, where a white rooster was sacrificed as a symbol of purity.

Parekrafbud Head Peter A Rasyid stated the ritual was coordinated with authorities despite the crime scene being under police cordon. He confirmed activities would not intrude on restricted areas or damage evidence. The site remains temporarily closed following the 24 May incident, where Austrian couple Jurgen Perjul, 55, and Astrid Perjul, 57, fell from a decaying 20-metre suspension bridge. Police investigations revealed the bridge was in a deteriorated state and unsafe for use.