Two Austrian tourists killed in Labuan Bajo bridge collapse as authorities accused of negligence

Two Austrian tourists died after a suspension bridge collapsed while visiting the Cunca Wulang waterfall destination in Mbeliling district, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The incident has drawn attention from the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (Asita).

Sebastian Pandang, Chairman of Asita’s West Manggarai Regional Chapter, highlighted the negligence of the site managers for failing to maintain the suspension bridge. The criticism was directed at the West Manggarai Regency government and the Pokdarwis, which manages the Cunca Wulang waterfall site.

‘As a business selling destinations, including Cunca Wulang, we are deeply concerned that the authorities, particularly the regency government, have not regularly maintained infrastructure and facilities, especially the bridge,’ Sebastian said in Labuan Bajo on Monday (25 May 2026).

‘The Pokdarwis group managing Cunca Wulang also failed to address the deteriorating and damaged bridge, leading to this unforeseen tragedy,’ Sebastian added.

Sebastian urged the West Manggarai Regency government to immediately address the infrastructure at Cunca Wulang waterfall and prevent such incidents in the future.

The deceased tourists were identified as Jurgen Perjul, 55, and Astrid Perjul, 57. They fell from the 20-metre-high suspension bridge which collapsed, hitting large boulders and dying instantly.

Tour guide Muhammad Muhardin, 30, recounted how the tragedy began when Jurgen and Astrid arrived at the Cunca Wulang waterfall site around 9:20 AM WITA.

Upon reaching the wooden suspension bridge spanning a rocky river, the couple planned to record a short video of their experience.

They handed their mobile phone to Muhardin, asking him to film their crossing from behind.

‘They walked side by side, smiling at the camera. They asked me, “Please film us from behind as we cross the bridge,”’ Muhardin recalled in Labuan Bajo.

After walking about 10 metres across the suspension bridge, Muhardin said the wooden structure supporting their feet suddenly broke. A loud cracking sound, like a large tree falling, was heard. Muhardin witnessed the tourists falling and hitting the large rocks.

‘A sudden loud crack, like a big tree branch snapping, was heard. Within seconds, the bridge collapsed completely,’ Muhardin said.

‘I saw them fall freely and strike the large river boulders at the bottom of the gorge,’ he added.