Two Austrian Tourists Killed as Suspension Bridge Planks Collapse in Labuan Bajo

Two Austrian tourists died after falling from a suspension bridge at the Cunca Wulang Waterfall tourist site in Mbeliling District, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The tourists fell when several wooden planks on the suspension bridge at the Labuan Bajo attraction broke. “The crossing planks (suspension bridge) broke, causing both victims to fall,” said Fathur Rahman, SAR Mission Coordinator at the Maumere SAR Office, on Sunday (24 May 2026). Photos obtained by detikBali show sections of the bridge leading to Cunca Wulang Waterfall with gaps where the stepping planks had come loose, leading to the foreign tourists’ fall. The male and female tourists, identified as Jurgen Perjul, 55, and Astrid Perjul, 57, are believed to be a married couple. Their bodies were evacuated by a joint SAR team to Komodo Regional Hospital in Labuan Bajo. The tragic incident began when the pair visited the Cunca Wulang Waterfall tourist site around 11:30 WITA on Sunday. They fell while crossing the 20-metre-high suspension bridge, landing on rocks below. “Unfortunately, while crossing the bridge, the victims fell and died at the scene,” Fathur explained. Cunca Wulang Waterfall is one of the tourist attractions in Labuan Bajo, managed by the West Manggarai Tourism, Creative Economy, and Culture Department. Previously, West Manggarai Tourism, Creative Economy, and Culture Department Head Peter A Rasyid confirmed the two tourists died while visiting Cunca Wulang. Peter stated he was still gathering full details of the incident. “The tourists are from Austria. It is not yet confirmed if they were a married couple,” Peter said via telephone.