A visit to Ubud’s renowned Monkey Forest took a tragic turn on December 10, 2024, when a massive tree fell, killing two foreign tourists and injuring several others. The disaster has cast a shadow over the popular tourist destination, which has since been temporarily closed with no clear timeline for reopening.
The Head of Bali’s Tourism Agency, Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun, confirmed the closure, explaining that safety evaluations are underway. “We are monitoring developments and hope to resolve this swiftly. The site will reopen only when it is deemed safe,” Pemayun stated during a press meeting at the Governor’s official residence.
He directed local authorities to ensure immediate safety measures and ordered the closure as an initial step.
The victims included two women: 32-year-old Funny Justine Christine from France and 42-year-old Kim Hyoeun from South Korea. Their bodies are currently being held at hospitals in Denpasar. Meanwhile, three other tourists who sustained serious injuries are still receiving medical care. All the victims were foreign nationals.
General Manager of Monkey Forest, Anak Agung Bagus Bhaskara, assured the public that the victims’ families would receive compensation. Insurance claims between IDR 100 million and IDR 1 billion are being processed.
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“Support will also come from Jasa Raharja,” Bagus added, noting that the management had taken all possible precautions to ensure safety. “During poor weather conditions, we issue advisories, and visitors are given the option to continue or cancel their visit. Our staff supervises all activities closely.”
Bagus revealed that there were no apparent warning signs at the time of the accident. “There was no wind when the tree fell. However, about 30 minutes before, there had been strong gusts. The tree’s trunk broke approximately 10 meters above its base,” he explained.
Pemayun also emphasized the importance of maintaining safety standards across Bali’s tourist attractions, particularly with the holiday season approaching. He mentioned that the provincial tourism office has instructed local tourism managers to inspect facilities, ensure cleanliness, and implement safety measures.
“We’ve communicated with local operators about potential weather risks, urging them to provide umbrellas or raincoats during rainy conditions,” Pemayun said. The Ministry of Tourism has also issued a circular outlining safety measures for the Christmas and New Year period.
Despite the tragedy, officials are working to ensure Monkey Forest will eventually reopen as a secure environment for visitors. Safety measures and insurance payouts aim to address both immediate concerns and future risks, reaffirming Bali’s commitment to protecting its tourists.
