Tragedy on Carstensz Peak: Two Women Climbers Die Due to Hypothermia

Jakarta, VIVA – Two Indonesian climbers die after suffering from hypothermia at Carstensz National Park, Papua, on Friday (Feb 28).

The two women climbers are believed to have succumbed to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), a common condition affecting climbers at extreme altitudes.

One of the victims, Elsa Laksono from Jakarta, has been evacuated to Mimika Regional Hospital, while the other, Lilie Wijayanti Poegiono from Bandung, is scheduled for evacuation on Monday.

Papua Police Public Relations Chief Commissioner Ignatius Benny Ady Prabowo provided details about the tragic incident.

On Wednesday (Feb 26), at around 7 a.m. to 9.50 a.m. local time, the group of climbers departed from Timika Airport to Yellow Valley using a Komala Indonesia AS 350 B3 helicopter (PK-KIE).

On Friday (Feb 28), the climbers attempted to cross the Tyrolean bridge. According to Octries Ruslan and Abdullah, two climbers who had already descended, the entire group successfully reached the summit.

However, Indira and Saroni began showing symptoms of AMS at the lower summit area (Teras Besar), while the other climbers and guides were positioned before the Tyrolean bridge.

Prabowo explained that another climber, Nurhuda, reached Base Camp alone in a hypothermic state and immediately requested help.

Due to a radio communication failure, Guide Yustinus Sondegau ascended with emergency supplies, including sleeping bags, fly sheets, hot water, and a radio.

International guide Dawa Gyalje Sherpa was then dispatched for a rescue attempt. Climber Poxy later confirmed that Dawa had reached one of the distressed female climbers and was providing assistance.

Despite their efforts, Octries later informed climber Deshir that both female climbers at Teras Dua had tragically passed away.

Meanwhile, Huda attempted to assist climber Egi and others at Summit Ridge but later reported that he had returned to Base Camp, unable to continue due to exhaustion.

The three climbers suffering from AMS have since been relocated to Base Camp Yellow Valley, while efforts to evacuate the bodies of Elsa Laksono and Lilie Wijayanti Poegiono to Base Camp Yellow Valley are ongoing.

Tropic Cartenz Jaya, the official sponsor of the expedition, has been coordinating with the police and Basarnas Timika for the evacuation.

Helicopters from Komala and Intan Angkasa are scheduled to transport the victims from Timika to Yellow Valley and back to Timika on March 2, 2025.

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VIVA.co.id

5 Maret 2025