Indonesia’s Independence Day hike leaves 16 needing rescue due to hypothermia

A Google Earth screengrab shows the 2,830-metre-high Mount Bawakaraeng in South Sulawesi, Indonesia where 16 hikers were evacuated from on August 17, 2026 after hypothermia set in during their Independence Day excursion.

First Published: Tuesday, 18 Aug 2026 10:30 AM MYT

JAKARTA, Aug 18 — Sixteen hikers were evacuated from Mount Bawakaraeng in South Sulawesi after suffering hypothermia, injuries and severe exhaustion during a climb to celebrate Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day.

Makassar Search and Rescue (SAR) Office chief Muhammad Arif Anwar said evacuation operations were being carried out in stages as of Monday evening.

“Most (evacuated) suffered symptoms of hypothermia due to extreme cold, leg injuries and severe physical exhaustion,” he said as quoted by Antara news agency.

He said of the 16 affected hikers, eight had been evacuated by Monday morning and were in good condition after being brought to the Bulu Balea registration post.

Arif said the SAR team was monitoring the movement of hikers along four routes leading to and from the summit.

A total of 3,786 hikers had registered to ascend the 2,830-metre-high mountain at Gowa regency for a flag-raising ceremony. Some 295 personnel from Basarnas, SAR communities, volunteers and medical teams were deployed under an Aug 15 to 18 standby operation to monitor hikers and provide immediate assistance in emergencies.

A similar operation during last year’s Independence Day celebrations saw 65 hikers evacuated, most after suffering hypothermia, while one hiker died from severe hypothermia, according to Antara.

Arif urged hikers to prioritise safety, monitor their physical condition and not force themselves to reach the summit, as well as to carry adequate protection against the cold. — Bernama