11-12-2024 (BALI) A devastating incident at Bali’s popular Ubud Monkey Forest has claimed the lives of two foreign tourists after a tree collapsed during strong winds on Tuesday afternoon, with another visitor sustaining injuries.
The tragic event unfolded around midday on December 10th, when powerful gusts of wind caused a large tree to suddenly topple over, sending panicked visitors scrambling for safety, as captured in witness footage from the scene.
Local authorities confirmed that a 32-year-old French national and a 42-year-old South Korean tourist lost their lives in the incident. A third visitor, a 43-year-old South Korean, was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
In response to the tragedy, the management of the Ubud Monkey Forest announced a temporary closure of the sacred grounds for Wednesday and Thursday (December 11-12) to conduct safety assessments.
In an official statement, the sanctuary’s administration emphasised their commitment to visitor safety, noting that they maintain regular tree inspection and trimming protocols to protect tourists, staff, and wildlife. They explained that the fallen tree had been “in good condition” prior to the incident, attributing its collapse solely to the severe weather conditions.
The Ubud Monkey Forest, spanning approximately 12.5 hectares, holds particular significance as a sacred site in local culture and has long been a favourite destination among international visitors, particularly Australian tourists, who come to interact with its resident long-tailed macaques.
The sanctuary, which serves as both a nature reserve and spiritual centre, has been a cornerstone of Bali’s tourism industry, offering visitors unique opportunities to observe and interact with hundreds of monkeys in their natural habitat, set against the backdrop of ancient temples and lush forest vegetation.
Terjadi musibah pohon tumbang di Monkey Forest – Ubud – Bali.
Blm diketahui apakah ada korban jiwa atau luka. Semoga semua selamat.Sumber: Grup whatsapp keluarga (fowarded many times) pic.twitter.com/d11RQb9zHk
— Ir. IPGSPR (@gunasatwam) December 10, 2024
