Two British tourists grin as they are rescued from volcano in Bali after going missing overnight

  • 2 days ago
Two British tourists who went missing while climbing the deadly Mount Agung volcano have been rescued in Bali, Indonesia.Matthew Forster, 22, and Andrew Forster, 18, went hiking to the peak of the deadly mountain but became lost in the forest on their way down in Karangasem Regency on July 3.A friend called the police when the pair, from London, failed to answer their phones. Later that night they rang dead, with police fearing the signal had been lost.Karangasem search and rescue personnel and volunteers were dispatched to the scene, where they found an abandoned rental motorcycle near a hiking trail rarely used.They called the phone number on the bike and the rental shop confirmed it had been taken out by the two lads. The owner told officials they were 'excited' about going to the top of the volcano.Despite the thick fog and poor visibility hampering the search, rescuers found the Brits safe but exhausted at around 6:15 pm local time the next evening on July 4.Head of Basarnas Bali I Nyoman Sidakarya said: 'From the information of the community and the team, there was a sound of someone screaming for help. 'At 18.15 WITA, the location was found, and the tourists were discovered in good health at an altitude of 1,700 metres above sea level.'They are lucky to have survived. The conditions on the volcano are very dangerous.'Coordinator of the Basarnas Karangasem Search and Rescue Post I Gusti Ngurah Eka Wiadnyana added: 'When we found them, both were in a limp state due to exhaustion. However, both of them could still go their own way down the mountain.'The hikers said they became lost during the descent because they did not memorise the path back to their motorcycle.They were given first aid and were taken to the Bebandem Police Station for questioning.Mount Agung is an active volcano and the highest point on Bali at an elevation of 9,944ft (3,031 meters).The Balinese Buddhist Hindus considered the mountain to be sacred and traditionally believed it to be the 'Navel of the World'. Many temples are built on the slopes of the mountain including the mother temple of Besakih.