Austrian Tourists Die in Cunca Wulang Waterfall Accident
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- An Austrian couple died after a suspension bridge collapsed at a popular tourist site in Labuan Bajo; their remains have been transferred to Bali for cremation.
- Indonesian police are investigating alleged negligence following a fatal accident involving foreign tourists at Cunca Wulang Waterfall.
- The victims’ ashes will be returned to Austria after cremation in Bali, coordinated with the Austrian Embassy.
Jakarta — The handling of the remains of an Austrian couple who died in a tragic accident at Cunca Wulang Waterfall in Labuan Bajo has entered a new phase. After 10 days in Labuan Bajo, the bodies have been flown to Bali for cremation before being returned to their home country.
The deaths of Jurgen Perjul (55) and Astrid Perjul (57) shocked both local authorities and the tourism community. The couple lost their lives on May 24, 2026, after falling from a deteriorated suspension bridge at the popular Cunca Wulang Waterfall in Mbeliling district, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.
The bridge reportedly collapsed while they were crossing it, causing both victims to plunge onto large rocks below. They died instantly at the scene.
A police investigation has since revealed that the suspension bridge was in a severely deteriorated condition and deemed unsafe for use.
Authorities are now investigating possible negligence by the site’s management. Cunca Wulang Waterfall is one of the most visited attractions in the Labuan Bajo mainland area and is managed by the West Manggarai Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture Agency.
The couple’s ashes are expected to be repatriated to Austria. Their child has already arrived in Bali to oversee the cremation process and arrangements for returning the remains.
The bodies were flown to Bali earlier on Thursday morning after being kept at Komodo Regional General Hospital (RSUD Komodo) since the day of the incident.
“Following coordination with the Austrian Embassy, the bodies were transported to Bali for cremation. After that, the ashes will be sent to Austria,” said West Manggarai Police Criminal Investigation Unit head Adj. Comr. Lufthi Darmawan Aditya.
No family members were present in Labuan Bajo to receive the bodies. As a result, hospital officials escorted the remains and handed them over directly to representatives of the Austrian Embassy in Bali. The head of the hospital morgue, Agustinus Janggu, accompanied the transfer.
“Since no family members were in Labuan Bajo, a hospital representative escorted the bodies to ensure proper handover to the Austrian Embassy in Bali,” Lufthi added.
The bodies were transported on Batik Air flight ID-6332, which departed at 9:50 a.m. local time.
“With their departure, full responsibility for handling the remains now lies with the Austrian Embassy in Denpasar before they are repatriated to Austria,” Lufthi said.
Indonesianpost.com | Detik
