WorthyNews: Bali Rattled By Monkey Forest Accident Killing Two, Injuring Several

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By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

UBUD, INDONESIA (Worthy News) – Authorities on Indonesia’s tropical island province of Bali warned Wednesday of more extreme weather after two tourists died and several were injured when a large tree fell on them at the popular Monkey Forest in Bali’s village of Ubud.

Tuesday’s incident was the latest in a series of disasters caused by strong winds and heavy rains lashing the area and other parts of Indonesia, killing and injuring numerous people in recent weeks, local Christians told Worthy News.

In a video, visitors are seen walking leisurely in the forested park when some suddenly turn and run away before a loud cracking sound is heard. According to witnesses, the tree then crashed down, blocking a paved path.

“Unfortunately, the two tourists were struck before the evacuation could be completed,” explained Ubud Police Chief Commissioner Gusti Nyoman Subarsana, whose forces brought tourists to safety.

Staff and other tourists quickly assisted victims, with footage showing people helping a seriously injured individual near the fallen tree.

Bali’s BMKG Denpasar Climatology Station, the local weather agency, warned of more such accidents and cautioned that “extreme weather” may persist until mid-January 2025.

Weather forecaster Made Dwi Wiratmaja told the media, “Residents must remain vigilant against floods, landslides, and falling trees.” The forecaster urged people to “Avoid travel during adverse weather to reduce the risk of accidents or being trapped in disasters.”

MORE VICTIMS

It resembled a similar accident in Southeast Asia where a 47-year-old man was killed when a massive tree fell across a busy road in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

That tragedy, which occurred earlier this year near the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, injured two others and caused significant disruption, with 17 cars damaged and monorail services out of service due to falling branches.

The man’s body was recovered from the scene, and two others – a 26-year-old ride-share driver and a 72-year-old Swedish woman – were hospitalized.

Yet Tuesday’s accident at Monkey Forest, where monkeys interact with visitors, was a setback for Bali, trying to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic halted mass tourism.

Data from Indonesia’s statistics bureau showed that 2.9 million foreign visitors entered the island through Bali airport in the first half of 2024, accounting for 65 percent of Indonesia’s total foreign arrivals by air for the period.

About 200,000 foreigners live in Bali, but authorities say that created problems such as crime, overdevelopment, and competition for employment.

“Foreign tourists who bring problems here, such as narcotics, gangs, and other issues, we can deport them from Indonesia, from Bali. And we don’t want them to enter Bali anymore,” said Luhut Pandjaitan, a senior minister overseeing tourism.

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