Chinese woman slips into Indonesian volcano while posing for photo, dies

NEW DELHI: A tragic incident occurred on an Indonesian volcano as a 31-year-old Chinese woman, identified as Huang Lihong, lost her life after accidentally falling from the edge of a crater while posing for a photograph. The incident took place at the Ijen volcano, renowned for its mesmerising "blue fire" phenomenon, where the woman and her husband were part of a guided tour aiming to witness the sunrise.
According to reports by the New York Post, Huang Lihong fell from a height of 75 meters and succumbed to the impact of the fall.Authorities have deemed the incident as an unfortunate accident. The tour guide informed officials that despite repeated warnings about the dangers of getting too close to the crater's edge while taking pictures, Huang Lihong moved backward to get a better shot, leading to the tragic misstep.
The exact attire of the woman at the time of the incident remains unclear, whether she was wearing a skirt or a dress. Rescuers had to work for around 2 hours to retrieve her body from the crater. The Ijen volcano is famous for its striking "blue fire" caused by sulfuric gases combustion.
In a separate incident, Mount Ruang in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, experienced eruptions that forced evacuations as molten rocks descended upon nearby villages. The volcano erupted multiple times, sending ash clouds soaring into the sky and producing a display of fiery lava and volcanic lightning.
Indonesia is home to approximately 130 active volcanoes, with Mount Ijen being a popular tourist destination despite periodic gas emissions. The recent events serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of volcanoes and the importance of adhering to safety guidelines when visiting such sites.
The tragic loss of Huang Lihong highlights the need for caution and awareness while exploring volcanic landscapes, emphasising the potential risks associated with venturing too close to hazardous areas for the sake of a photograph.