A Fateful Afternoon in Monkey Forest
On Tuesday, a seemingly perfect day in Bali turned into a nightmare for a group of unsuspecting travelers at the Monkey Forest in Ubud, a popular tourist hotspot. At around 12 pm local time, a massive tree branch snapped and came crashing down on the crowd, leaving a trail of devastation and chaos in its wake.
The Shocking Moment Caught on Camera
CCTV footage captured the terrifying scene, showing over a dozen travelers, including children and families, fleeing for their lives as the tree branch gave way. The videos, uploaded to social media, reveal the horrific moment the branch split and fell, with eerie cracking noises heard just seconds before the towering structure toppled.
Panic and Chaos
In the chilling footage, people can be seen screaming “what the f**k” and “help” as they scrambled to safety. A family with a pram is seen fleeing in one video, while a child is seen leaping out from behind the fallen tree in another.
Weather Conditions May Have Contributed to the Tragedy
Local media reports suggest that heavy rain and intense wind in the area over the past few days may have weakened the tree, making it more susceptible to collapse.
Casualties and Aftermath
According to authorities, two women, aged 32 from France and 42 from South Korea, sadly lost their lives in hospital. A second South Korean woman, aged 43, remains hospitalized at Kenak Medika Hospital, with the extent of her injuries still unclear.
Investigation Underway
Ubud Police Chief Commissioner Gusti Nyoman Sudarsana has confirmed that an investigation is underway, with officers working closely with the South Korean and French consulates to notify the families of the victims.