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The accident took place on Tuesday, December 11, at the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali.
Two female tourists were killed in the accident. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
In a shocking turn of events, two tourists reportedly lost their lives after a giant tree fell on them in a popular tourist destination in Bali, Indonesia. The incident took place on Tuesday, December 10, at around midday local time at the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud, a popular spot on the island where tourists get the chance to get close to monkeys. As per the local reports, the two foreign nationals, namely F. Justine Christine from France and Kim Hyoeun from South Korea, both females, were killed while a few others sustained minor injuries.
The incident was also captured on CCTV, sparking concerns among people over the ongoing extreme weather conditions in Bali. In one of the videos, a group of visitors could be seen taking a walk in the forested park when they were alerted by a loud sound. A tree comes crashing down, blocking the path and creating a tense and panic situation.
Following the accident, the local police carried out an extensive evacuation of the area and recovered the victims. The Head of Public Relations of Bali Regional Police, Kombes Pol Jansen Avitus Panjaitan, spoke to the media and confirmed the incident around 12:15 PM local time amid a sudden heavy rainstorm, accompanied by strong winds across central Ubud and also the Sacred Monkey Forest. “At that time, there were many tourists visiting and seeing it, then the tourists ran around to save themselves, but there were some tourists who were hit by trees,” Panjaitan said, as per The Bali Sun.
He also shared that the victims are entrusted and treated at the Ubud Kenak Medika Hospital while waiting for further official communication.
In a statement, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary also expressed its deepest condolences to those affected. “Our team has taken swift action to evacuate the affected area and ensure the safety and comfort of other visitors. We are also working closely with authorities to address this situation thoroughly,” it added. Meanwhile, the attraction will remain closed on December 11 and 12, the authorities confirmed.
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, also known as the Ubud Monkey Forest, is a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. It is home to more than 1,260 long-tailed macaques, which are considered sacred by the local people.
