At a Glance
- Syafiq Ridhan Ali Razan, an 18-year-old hiker, was found dead after a 16-day search on Mount Slamet.
- His body was recovered from a 65-foot ravine near post 9, less than 2,000 feet from the summit.
- A fracture in his left thigh indicates the fatal fall.
- Why it matters: The tragedy highlights the risks of high-altitude trekking in Java’s rugged terrain.
A group of volunteers and rescue teams combed the slopes of Mount Slamet in central Java, Indonesia, for more than two weeks before discovering the body of an 18-year-old hiker who had gone missing on December 27. The search, which lasted 16 days, ended on January 14 when his body was recovered from a steep ravine.
The Search That Took Two Weeks
The disappearance began when Syafiq and his friend, Himawan Haidar Bahran, started their ascent from the Dipajaya basecamp in Pemalang Regency on December 27. The next day, Bahran suffered a cramp and could not continue, prompting Syafiq to descend the mountain to seek help.
The following day, Bahran reached post 9-just under 2,000 feet from the summit-and was found alive by search and rescue teams on December 30. That same day, Syafiq was reported missing.
- 16-day search involving volunteers, local authorities, and SAR Semarang.
- Search teams navigated a 65-foot ravine to retrieve the body.
- Volunteers from the Goeteng Taroenadibrata General Hospital assisted in the recovery.
- The body was transported out of the ravine for examination.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 27 | Syafiq and Bahran begin ascent from Dipajaya basecamp |
| December 28 | Bahran cramps, Syafiq descends to get help |
| December 30 | Bahran found alive at post 9; Syafiq reported missing |
| January 14 | Body of Syafiq recovered near post 9 |
Discovery of the Body
The body was located at the base of a slope on the southern side of Mount Slamet, near post 9. Recovering the body required navigating a 65-foot ravine, a task completed by a group of volunteers, according to BBC News Indonesia.
During the post-mortem examination at the Goeteng Taroenadibrata General Hospital in Purbalingga, a fracture in Syafiq’s left thigh was found, pointing to a fatal fall. The hospital and SAR Semarang did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Official Statements
“The teen’s cause of death will be announced by the hospital,” said Budiono, chief of the Semarang SAR Office, to The Star.
The hospital confirmed that the fracture in Syafiq’s left thigh indicated a fall to death, but the official cause of death was pending.
What Happened
Syafiq Ridhan Ali Razan, 18, died from a fall that occurred approximately two weeks before his body was recovered. The search teams found him near the same location where his friend had been rescued, underscoring the perilous nature of the mountain’s terrain.
Key Takeaways
- A 16-day search operation was required to locate the body of an 18-year-old hiker on Mount Slamet.
- The body was recovered from a 65-foot ravine, indicating a fatal fall.
- A fracture in the left thigh confirmed the cause of death.
- The incident highlights the dangers of high-altitude trekking in Java’s rugged terrain.
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