30-10-2023 (JAKARTA) A tragic incident unfolded at The Geong tourist site within the picturesque Limpakuwus Pine Forest in the Banyumas Regency of Central Java, Indonesia. A glass-bottomed bridge shattered beneath a group of tourists, resulting in the death of one individual and injuries to three others. The devastating incident occurred on Wednesday, leaving both visitors and authorities shocked.
According to witness Sunarto, an employee at the site, the 10-meter-high glass bridge broke at approximately 10 a.m., causing chaos and panic. Banyumas City Police chief Sr. Comr. Edy Suranta Sitepu confirmed that a police investigation has been initiated to uncover the causes behind the incident. Two victims fell to the ground, while the other two managed to hold onto the bridge’s frame. Tragically, one of the individuals who fell succumbed to their injuries, while the other sustained minor wounds.
Eko Purnomo, chairman of the Limpakuwus Pine Forest Cooperative, had previously expressed concerns about safety at The Geong following the Idul Fitri holiday in April when the tourist attraction commenced its operations. Purnomo had approached the manager of The Geong for a safety evaluation. It is worth noting that The Geong and the Limpakuwus Pine Forest share the same land but operate under separate management, as reported by The Jakarta Post.
Social media platforms had been flooded with complaints about the excessive number of tourists on the bridge, with claims that it exceeded safe capacity limits. Purnomo alleged that the bridge’s manager failed to attend a scheduled meeting to address these concerns, instead sending a representative who did not engage in any discussions. As a result of this tragic incident, Purnomo has agreed to temporarily close the forest while local authorities conduct their investigation.
This unfortunate event echoes a similar tragedy that occurred last summer when a train collided with an amusement park ride, claiming the lives of nine people. The incident took place in Banten state, west of Jakarta, where the train collided with an open-top minibus known locally as an “odong-odong.” The brightly colored minibus, often used as a recreational area for children in low-income neighborhoods, was carrying 20 passengers at the time of the collision. Reports suggest that the accident occurred at a gate-less railway crossing.
Serang Traffic Police Chief Tiwi Afrina explained that the minibus was traveling from Walantata to Kragilan when the collision transpired. The lack of a gate at the railway crossing contributed to the tragic accident, leading to the loss of nine lives.
@newdynastynews Tourist dies when 30ft-high glass walkway shatters #tourist #glasswalk #tragedy #indonesia ♬ original sound – newdynastynews
