The world-famous Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest will remain closed on 12th December for a cleansing ceremony following the death of two tourists on Tuesday 10th December. After the ceremony is completed, the attraction will remain closed until further notice.
The two tourists were crushed by a falling tree during high winds on Tuesday afternoon, a third tourist was taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.
In a formal statement issued by Monkey Forest, the tourism attraction stated, “With deep regret that a tree fell due to strong winds in the Monkey Forest Ubud area. We would like to emphasize that the fallen tree was in healthy condition. We regularly conduct tree monitoring and pruning as part of our commitment to the safety of visitors, staff, and wildlife in the Monkey Forest Ubud.”
They added, “However, this incident was caused by strong winds and extreme weather conditions beyond human control. We are working closely with authorities to address the situation thoroughly. We deeply appreciate everyone’s understanding and support at this difficult time.”
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, 11th December, the Monkey Forest Ubud General Manager, Anak Agung Bagus Bhaskara, explained that the tragedy will be covered by insurance and that the attraction is supporting the families in any way they can. He noted, “We work with the insurance company, and the insurance ceiling ranges from IDR 100 million to IDR 1 billion.”
The tourists who lost their lives are known by their initials CJF, a 32-year-old from France and a 42-year-old HK from South Korea. SL, 45, who was seriously injured by the falling tree, has undergone surgery at a hospital in Gianyar Regency.
Bhaskara told reporters, “The victim’s family from Korea is expected to arrive in two days, while we are still waiting for news from the French victim’s family.”
Speaking separately, the Head of Padangtegal Ubud Traditional Village, I Made Parmita, said the pecaruan ceremony will be held at Pura Wana, led by a sulinggih, a high priest.
Partmita said, “We hope this ceremony can neutralize negative energy and pray that a similar disaster will not happen again,” he said. A prayascita ceremony has already been held at the scene.
As Balinese Hindu tradition dictates a pecaruan ceremony must take place to cleanse a space of impurities and to appease the negative energies that are present in a space, known as buta kala.
It is believed that if these negative energies are not cleared that further harm could be caused. This is the ceremony that will be held by the community tomorrow, and it will not be open for the public.
The prayascita ceremony which has already been conducted is a four step ritual to purify, atone, cleanse and prepare the space where the incident occurred, ready for the pecaruan ceremony to bring the situation to a close.
With regard to the wider Ubud Monkey Forest area and tourist attractions, Bhaskara said, “We already have a conservation team that actively cares for trees and provides information to visitors regarding weather conditions.”
Adding, “Currently, the area is still temporarily closed; we cannot yet confirm when [Monkey Forest] will be reopened.”
In a media interview the Gianyar Regional Secretary, Dewa Gede Alit Mutiara, together with Gianyar Tourism Office Head, Wayan Gede Sedana Putra, inspected the location after the incident. “This is a disaster that cannot be avoided, but we ensure that the handling of victims is carried out as well as possible.”
Over the last three days over 50 disasters have been reported to Bali’s Natural Disaster Management Agency, ranging from fallen trees, to landslides and flooding. Tourists are urged to take a risk adverse approach as the rainy seasons prevails in Bali, a season that is already being referred to locally as the worst in recent history.