Tragic Fate of Influencer Juliana Marins on Mount Rinjani
The vibrant world of social media influence met a heartbreaking end recently with the death of Juliana Marins, a 26-year-old Brazilian social media personality. Her adventurous spirit, documented extensively on Instagram, led her to the breathtaking, yet treacherous, slopes of Mount Rinjani in Lombok, Indonesia. This Indonesian volcano, a stunning backdrop to countless photos, became the tragic scene of her final journey.
A Solo Journey Cut Short
Marins, known for her captivating travel photography and videos, had been independently exploring Southeast Asia for weeks, sharing her experiences from Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines with her followers. Her Instagram feed, a testament to her wanderlust, showcased stunning images from her adventures. Little did her followers know, this vibrant journey was about to take a devastating turn.
The Descend into the Crater
On Saturday, June 21st, Marins joined a hiking group ascending Mount Rinjani. Around 6:30 am, disaster struck. She lost her footing, plummeting down a near 2,000-foot slope. Miraculously, she survived the initial fall. Drone footage later revealed her desperate attempts to navigate the volcanic terrain, crawling and inching her way across the treacherous landscape. However, her arduous journey was far from over.
Abandoned and Alone
According to statements made by her sister, Marianna, on Brazilian television, Marins had requested a slower pace, needing to rest. Tragically, her hiking group continued their ascent without her, leaving her stranded and vulnerable in the unforgiving volcanic environment. “She didn’t know where to go,” Marianna explained, highlighting the terrifying isolation Marins faced. The guide only realized her absence and the severity of her fall when he returned and found she had been gone too long.
A Grueling Rescue Attempt
Marins’ cries for help triggered an immediate rescue operation. However, the challenging terrain, coupled with dense fog, significantly hampered the initial search. The rescuers, descending approximately 984 feet, initially found no trace of her. It later became clear she had fallen further, into a deep gorge filled with loose rocks, where she remained for almost four days without food or water.
A Heartbreaking Discovery and Aftermath
Hope flickered on Monday when rescuers, having established a dedicated search tent, finally located Marins. Sadly, she was unresponsive. Her family confirmed her passing, attributing her death to the injuries sustained during her fall and subsequent ordeal. An Instagram post shared by her family conveyed their profound grief and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support they received.
Tributes and Calls for Investigation
The news of Marins’ death sparked widespread sorrow and outrage. Former Brazilian Minister Tereza Cristina paid tribute, expressing condolences and calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly highlighting the alleged negligence that left Marins twice abandoned – first on the trail and then after her fall. Marins’ final Instagram post, “Never try, never fly,” ironically underscores the risk and reward inherent in her adventurous spirit, a spirit tragically extinguished far too soon.
