Chinese woman posing for photo dies after fall from edge of crater on Indonesian volcano

One photograph released after her fall shows Huang Lihong (pictured) posing on what appears to be the rim of the volcano with one leg raised and clouds of steam and Sulphur gas rising behind her

A tourist tragically lost her life after falling 250ft into the crater of an active volcano in Indonesia while reportedly posing for sunrise photographs.

The victim, identified as 31-year-old Chinese national Huang Lihong, fell into the Ijen Crater in Banyuwangi, Indonesia, on April 20, according to local media reports.

Local media said that she fell 250ft into the mouth of the volcano and it took rescuers more than two hours to retrieve her body

Accompanied by her husband, Zhang Yong, and a local guide, Lihong had climbed the slope to witness the dramatic sunrise from the volcano's rim. However, during a photo session, her skirt got caught, causing her to stumble and fall backward over the edge into the crater in front of her husband.

One photograph taken moments before the incident shows Lihong posing near the volcano's rim, with steam and sulphur gas rising behind her. Local media reports indicate that she fell approximately 250ft into the crater, requiring rescuers more than two hours to retrieve her body.

The couple had climbed to the top of the active volcano, which is known for its popular “blue fire” phenomenon, to catch the sunrise.

Dwi Putro Sugiarto, the head of the Department of Conservation for the Banyuwangi region, characterized the incident as an accident and emphasized the importance of tourist safety while visiting Mount Ijen.

Lihong's body will be transported to Bali before being repatriated by air to China.

Mount Ijen, located on the border between Banyuwangi and Bondowoso in East Java, is renowned for its blue fire phenomenon caused by sulphuric gas emissions igniting and burning within the crater.