Two tourists killed by falling branches at Bali tourist hotspot
Two tourists at the famous monkey forest in Bali have been crushed to death by falling trees.
Dramatic video posted to social media shortly after Tuesday’s tragedy showed visitors casually walking along the paved path in the Ubud forest, before their attention went skyward amid the sound of cracking wood.
Tourists flee as tree branches fall at the monkey forest in Ubud, Bali.
One video shows more than a dozen people running to escape but, in a matter of seconds, some are engulfed or obscured by the falling foliage.
Indonesian authorities on Tuesday confirmed a 32-year-old woman from France and a 42-year-old woman from South Korea were killed. Another woman from South Korea was injured.
The monkey forest, formally known as the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, is a favourite among Australian tourists because it offers the opportunity to interact with hundreds of long-tailed macaques that call it home.
The tragedy happened at 12.25pm local time (3.25pm AEST) near the Prajapati temple. Investigators said the banyan, pule and kresek trees collapsed shortly amid strong winds and shortly after heavy rain. They also said the trunk of the banyan tree was rotten.
Videos appear to show the collapsing branches and trees from two different sides of the trail. In one, a small boy is seen emerging from underneath the branches, apparently unscathed.
