Chinese Tourist Evacuated After Fall at Padar Island Summit

Labuan Bajo — A Chinese tourist was evacuated after slipping and falling while taking photographs at the summit of Padar Island in Komodo National Park on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, according to Indonesian media reports.

The tourist was identified as Zhuotao Wu. He became unconscious after the fall, and rescuers brought him to Siloam Labuan Bajo Hospital for treatment, the reports said.

Rescue operation

A joint search-and-rescue team reached Padar Island at about 12:25 p.m. local time, then moved Wu by rigid inflatable boat to Marina Labuan Bajo Port before transferring him by ambulance to hospital, according to the reports.

The evacuation involved personnel from the West Manggarai SAR post, the Labuan Bajo naval base, the East Nusa Tenggara water and air police unit, the West Manggarai police and the Labuan Bajo port authority, the reports said.

Fathur Rahman, head of the Maumere Search and Rescue Office, said Wu had trekked to the summit, stopped to take photos, then slipped and fell, leaving him unconscious.

Authorities have not released a further medical update on Wu’s condition after he arrived at hospital. The reports also do not say precisely where on the summit he fell or whether any barrier or warning sign was involved.

Safety context

Padar Island is one of Komodo National Park’s most visited viewpoints, and the summit trail includes exposed terrain that can be risky when visitors concentrate on photography. The incident underscores the importance of staying within marked areas and following instructions from on-site officials.

Local rescue teams regularly respond to emergencies in the Komodo tourism area, where steep trails and crowded viewpoints can create hazards for visitors. In this case, the rescue was completed the same day as the fall.

Sources

• detikTravel
• The Bali Times