Indonesia: 14-Year-Old French Teen Missing After Mount Batukaru Climb

It's been a week since the teenager who climbed Mount Batukaru, one of the island's highest peaks, went missing. Rescue operations are ongoing, raising concerns about whether he will be found in time.

Mysterious Disappearance in Bali

A 14-year-old French teenager, Thibault, has been missing for a week on the Indonesian island of Bali. While vacationing with his family, he was climbing Mount Batukaru, one of the island’s tallest peaks, when he vanished, sparking significant concern and a large-scale search effort.

A Hike Turns Tragic

Thibault and his family, who live in the Paris region, were enjoying their holiday exploring Bali’s stunning landscapes. During their descent from Mount Batukaru, Thibault and his older brother slipped and fell into a ravine. “Both of them slipped and fell into a ravine,” a family member reported to AFP from France.

The older brother, who landed in a slightly different spot, managed to alert rescue teams the following morning. However, he could not locate Thibault, who had communicated with him throughout the night, reportedly unharmed by the fall.

Massive Effort to Find Him

The French Consul in Jakarta, Elsa Rochier, confirmed that “significant resources have been deployed” to find the teenager. The consulate has also requested that the Indonesian authorities extend the search beyond the usual seven-day limit.

About thirty people are involved in the rescue operation, led by Kadek Donny Indrawan in Buleleng, in the northern part of the island. Despite these efforts, Thibault remains missing. His family, the French community, and local officials continue to hope for his safe return.