TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) Agency decided to close Mount Bromo, one of the most popular tourist destinations in East Java, following land fires in Watangan Savanna block, which is also known as Teletubbies Hill.

TNBTS Agency’s head of the administrative unit, Septi Eka Wardhani, said on Thursday that the area was closed for the safety of visitors as efforts to extinguish the fire were still ongoing.

“Tourist activities are completely prohibited starting Wednesday night at 10 p.m.,” Septi confirmed in Malang, East Java, on Thursday, September 7.

She claimed that the closure of the national park area would last until an undetermined time. Tourists who had already purchased tickets could apply for rescheduling which would be announced later by the TNBTS.

The area has been closed to tourists several times in recent weeks due to land and forest fires. Previously, a fire broke out in the area of the state forestry company Perum Perhutani and had been successfully extinguished.

On Wednesday evening, September 6, a fire broke out in Tengger Caldera, allegedly sparked by irresponsible visitors who lit up and disposed of flares in the area. Septi said six persons had been secured and were being questioned by the Probolinggo Resort Police.

Mount Bromo is one of the leading tourist destinations in East Java. In 2022, there were at least 318,919 tourists, comprising 310,418 domestic tourists and 8,501 foreign tourists. From the tourist visits, the non-tax state revenue reached Rp11.65 billion, a significant increase from the previous year’s Rp4.85 billion.

ANTARA